Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 515: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of schools that have been granted temporary recognition by her Department; the names of the schools concerned; the length of time that the temporary recognition status has applied; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6571/08]

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 30 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.