Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 473: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of schools here to which her Department has granted temporary recognition; the schools granted temporary recognition on a county basis; the length of time that each school has been granted temporary recognition by her; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4688/08]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The information sought by the Deputy is not readily available. However, if the Deputy has a query in relation to a specific school he can contact my officials in the Department who will be happy to assist in this regard. In general new schools initially operate with provisional recognition from my Department. During the period of provisional recognition, it is the responsibility of the school patron to provide interim accommodation. This accommodation must be capable of fully meeting the needs of the developing school until permanent recognition has been secured and my Department is in a position to provide permanent accommodation. While schools with temporary recognition do not qualify for capital funding, my Department does provide grant aid for the rental of interim accommodation. It is open to a school to seek an increase in this rental as its needs develop.

The following are the criteria for recognition of new primary schools. There must be evidence that:

The proposed school meets a need that cannot reasonably be met within existing provision.

The local community is consulted in advance.

The patron has been registered as such by the Minister for Education and Science.

A board of management will be appointed in accordance with the requirements of the Department of Education and Science.

The Rules for National Schools will be complied with.

The proposed school has a minimum initial enrolment of 17 junior infants and a minimum projected enrolment of 51 pupils for the third year of operation.

All pupils are at least four years of age on 30th September of the year in which the school is due to commence operation.

The school will follow the Primary School Curriculum of my Department. — The school will employ recognised primary school teachers.

A school may apply for permanent recognition when it has complied with all the conditions of temporary recognition. The period of temporary recognition may vary from school to school.

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 474: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the reason a school (details supplied) in Dublin 4 that was granted temporary recognition in 1999 with the clearly expressed view from officials within her Department that this recognition should exist for a period of one or two years maximum, still has temporary recognition status; if her attention has been drawn to the issues that have been raised by the Revenue Commissioners in connection with the misuse of charitable status obtained by this school; the discussions she has had with the Department of Finance in connection with this matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4689/08]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The school referred to by the Deputy currently has temporary recognition. Amongst the factors to be considered for the granting of permanent recognition are the long-term viability of the school, the current and projected enrolments, suitability of accommodation and that the school is operating in accordance with the Rules for National Schools. Accommodation remains the Patron's responsibility until the Department is in a position to provide permanent accommodation, assuming the school achieves permanent recognition. The issuing of Charitable Status to a school/organisation is a matter for the Revenue Commissioners.