Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 206: To ask the Minister for Education and Science when he expects to publish the review of procedures for recognising primary schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34270/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will be aware, I have recently announced a review of the procedures for the establishment of new primary schools under the Commission on School Accommodation.

I intend to establish a Technical Working Group under the Commission to undertake a full review of the criteria and procedures for the recognition of new primary schools. This working group will begin work in the coming weeks and it is expected that the review of procedures for recognising primary schools will be completed and revised arrangements in place within a two year timeframe.

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 207: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the reason he refused an application by the founding committee of a school (details supplied) for the use of buildings located in Blanchardstown Hospital as temporary accommodation from September 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34271/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The Department was made aware of proposals to establish a new Gaelscoil to serve Tyrrellstown/Hollystown in August 2008. A formal 'Notification of Intent' to establish this new school was received from the proposed Patron, An Foras Patrunachta in September 2008.

However, as the Deputy will be aware, I announced a review of the procedures for recognising primary schools on 14 September last. In the interim period, it is not planned to recognise any new primary schools except in areas where increases in pupil numbers that cannot be catered for in existing schools require the provision of new schools. This means that new schools will not be established for reasons not related to demographic growth in areas where there is already sufficient school accommodation or where the increases can be catered for by extending the existing school accommodation.

The application to establish a new Gaelscoil to serve Tyrellstown/Hollystown will be considered in this context. If the school receives provisional recognition the provision of suitable temporary accommodation is a matter for the Patron/Board of Management. In that context and on the basis that the school has not yet received recognition, the founding Committee's application for direct provision of accommodation by the Department was refused.