Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 491: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if an application for recognition has been received from a national school (details supplied) in County Clare; the status of the application; when a decision will be made on the application; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16569/07]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The application for the new school referred to by the Deputy was assessed by the New Schools Advisory Committee (NSAC) which is an independent advisory group, established to process applications for the recognition of new primary schools and to make recommendations thereon.

On foot of the NSAC recommendations, I announced earlier this year the establishment of 13 new primary schools, from September 2007 in accordance with the provisions of Section 10 of the Education Act 1998 and the published criteria for recognition of new schools. I also indicated that I would, in order to consider further the application from the school referred to by the Deputy, be prepared to allow this school further time to find an alternative patron for the proposed national school. Subsequently an alternative Patron was sought and this application is currently under consideration.