Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Question 500: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the reason a special school (details supplied) in Dublin 8 has not reopened in autumn 2007; what has happened to the pupils; if and when it is proposed to reopen the school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25280/07]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that there are three teaching vacancies out of a total teaching complement of four teaching posts. Due to this exceptional number of vacancies, the school was unable to re-open in September 2007. I am informed that the Board of Management is actively engaged in a recruitment process to fill these vacancies and that every effort is being made to expedite the process with a view to re-opening the school as soon as possible.

In the interim, arrangements have been made to accommodate some children in other schools. Where this has not been possible, my Department has offered a home tuition grant to the remaining families.