Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 154: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the reason he refused a request from a school (details supplied) in Dublin 15; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35306/08]

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 Tyrellstown/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 14th 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 Committees application for direct provision of accommodation by the Department was refused.