Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)
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Question 1687: To ask the Minister for Education and Science her views on the Steiner-Waldorf method of education; and if she will provide State recognition to Steiner schools in primary education. [2360/07]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The New School Advisory Committee (NSAC) has received applications for the recognition of two Multi-Denominational English medium primary schools in respect of schools which are currently using the method of education referred to by the Deputy.

The New Schools Advisory Committee (NSAC) is an independent advisory group and was established to process applications for the recognition of new primary schools and to make recommendations thereon to the Minister. As Minister it is my role to consider the report and recommendations made to me by the NSAC at the end of their deliberative process and to make a decision on the recommendations made. As these applications are under consideration by the NSAC, the Deputy will appreciate that, at this point in time, it would be not be appropriate for me to comment on any particular application currently under consideration by the NSAC.

Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)
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Question 1688: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of submissions received in relation to each school regarding two applications for State recognition by schools (details supplied) as part of the public consultation phase and the number for and against each school gaining recognition; and when a decision will be made on the schools applications for recognition. [2361/07]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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In relation to the proposed schools seeking recognition that the Deputy refers to, the New School Advisory Committee has received to date 280 submissions/responses as part of the public consultation process of which some 227 were in favour and 53 against the applications.

The next step in the process is the formal application for recognition for which the closing date is 31 January 2007. The New Schools Advisory Committee (NSAC) is an independent advisory group which was established to process applications for the recognition of new primary schools and to make recommendations thereon to the Minister. As these applications are under consideration by the NSAC, the Deputy will appreciate that, at this point in time, it would be not be appropriate for me to comment on any particular application currently under consideration by the NSAC.