Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 674: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding a school (details supplied) in County Wicklow that is seeking accommodation to facilitate enrolments that they have for the school year commencing in September 2008; if his Department will expedite the procedure for recognition of this school and provide the accommodation required in order that the school can open in September 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22942/08]

Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 675: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the position in relation to a school (details supplied) in County Wicklow that is seeking accommodation to facilitate enrolments that they have for the school year commencing in September 2008; if his Department will expedite the procedure for recognition of this school and provide the accommodation it requires in order that it can open in September 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22943/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 674 and 675 together.

Provisional recognition was granted to the schools referred to by the Deputy by my predecessor, Minister Hanafin in April 2008.

It is the intention of my Department to provide accommodation for both the schools referred to at a site in Blacklion, Greystones, for September 2008. In this respect both schools will be kept informed of the progress of this provision.

Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 676: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the reason a school (details supplied) in County Laois is to vacate its current site and move to the Portlaoise College site; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that it will be the school's fourth move in ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22948/08]

Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 677: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the discussion that has taken place between his Department and the school authorities (details supplied) in County Laois to address the accommodation situation; the other site options his Department has examined for the school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22949/08]

Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 678: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the concerns of parents of children attending a school (details supplied) in County Laois regarding the proposed move from their current site to the Portlaoise College site; if he has taken these concerns on board as part of his decision to move the school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22950/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 676 to 678, inclusive, together.

I want to assure the Deputy that my Department is aware of the situation in the school to which she refers and is working to achieve a satisfactory solution as soon as possible.

The school is currently occupying rented accommodation and the rent is now subject to review. However, the proposed increased rent is not considered appropriate or sustainable. In this context, my Department have communicated recently with the school authorities in relation to the occupation of a new 8 classroom system build school for a 3 year period.

With regard to a permanent solution for the school, the task of locating suitable accommodation in an area where a school would prefer to be permanently located is not always an easy one and cannot be underestimated particularly where an area is built up.

Officials in my Department are willing to work with the school authorities in their efforts to address the permanent accommodation needs of the school and all proposals for the provision of a permanent building/site for the school will be considered.