Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Question 136: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if he will approve and sanction a second Gaelscoil for Kilkenny City in view of the increasing demand for same by parents and pupils; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35209/08]

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.

In the interim period it is not proposed to recognise any new primary schools, except in areas where increases in pupil numbers cannot be catered for in existing schools and which 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 increases can be catered for by extending existing school accommodation.