Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Question 1381: To ask the Minister for Education and Science his plans to provide accommodation for the extra classroom needed in September 2009 by a school (details supplied) in Dublin 9; if he has examined the possibility of locating the classroom in the vacant Enterprise Ireland or Fishery Board buildings nearby; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47914/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The school to which the Deputy refers commenced operation in September 2002 with provisional recognition from my Department on the basis that it would be providing multi-denominational education in the Clontarf/Marino/Fairview area of Dublin.

At the time, the Department accepted the argument made by the proposers of the school that there was a need for a separate multi-denominational school to serve that particular area and the school was given temporary recognition on the basis that the Patron would secure suitable accommodation there to meet this need. To date, the Patron has not been able to do this and the school is currently located on a temporary basis in premises outside the Clontarf/Marino/Fairview area. It continues to be my Department's intention to re-locate this school to that area if and when suitable accommodation becomes available and as the funding situation allows.

If there is a need for further multi-denominational school places in the Glasnevin area, my Department will explore how these can be provided in the context of the pre-existing schools, which is in accordance with normal procedures in these matters.