Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 724: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if she has received a request from Educate Together to allow the classrooms that will not be used in a school (details supplied) in Dublin 15 to be used by another school on a temporary basis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11456/08]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 725: To ask the Minister for Education and Science her views on a request from a school to allow them to use the classrooms that will be vacant in a new school (details supplied) in Dublin 15; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11457/08]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 724 and 725 together.

As the Deputy knows, the Programme for Government includes a commitment to establish a Developing Areas Unit in the Department of Education and Science, dedicated solely to progressing school planning in rapidly developing areas, building on improvements that have already been made in recent years.

This recently established Developing Areas Unit, in conjunction with Fingal County Council, has been working to identify and acquire sites, under the Fingal School Model, for rapidly growing areas, including Dublin 15.

In relation to the Carpenterstown Education Together Parents Group that has been established, I understand that an application for recognition of a new school in Carpenterstown in September 2008 has been received by the New Schools Advisory Committee (NSAC). The NSAC is an independent advisory group established to process applications for the recognition of new primary schools and to make recommendations to me. It is expected that the NSAC will report in April 2008.

As the Deputy may be aware, the Department is moving to acquire a site in Porterstown under the Fingal School Model Agreement. He will also be aware that Scoil Choilm was established in September 2007 under the temporary patronage of the Catholic Church to serve the Porterstown/Clonsilla parish in Dublin 15 and enrolled 3 streams of junior infants. The school is temporarily accommodated in the Institute of Horology, a V.E.C.-owned building, in Blanchardstown. Scoil Choilm will be relocated to a site in Porterstown for September 2008, subject to planning permission and completion of the legalities. The site will be temporary in the first instance and it is envisaged that the site will be expanded and made permanent in the short to medium term.

Due to the level of demand emanating from the Dublin 15 area, the need to make further provision at primary level is being kept under continuous review by the Department. All options will be considered to ensure that there are enough school places in September 2008 and beyond. The provision of accommodation for Carpenterstown Educate Together will be considered once the NSAC makes its report.