Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 11: To ask the Aire Oideachais agus Eolaíochta cé na céimeanna a chuirfidh a Roinn i bhfeidhm chun freastal ar éileamh an phobail ar an gcóras Gaelscolaíochta mar uirlis chun an Ghaeilge a chur chun cinn sa Stát, sna ceantair seanbhunaithe agus sna ceantair nua-fháis araon; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [7854/09]

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 12: To ask the Aire Oideachais agus Eolaíochta an mbeidh na coinníollacha aitheantais reatha i bhfeidhm i mbliana do choistí bunaithe atá ag súil le scoil nua a oscailt mí Mheán Fómhair 2009 agus an mó scoileanna nua a mbronnfar aitheantas sealadach orthu faoi na coinníollacha sin i mbliana. [7855/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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Tógfaigh mé Ceisteanna 11 agus 12 le chéile.

I should explain that a review of the procedures for the establishment of new primary schools is being undertaken by the Commission on School Accommodation. A Technical Working Group, under the direction of the Chairman of the Commission, has been established to undertake a full review of the criteria and procedures for the recognition of new primary schools. This working group has commenced its work and it is expected that the review of procedures for recognising new primary schools will be completed and revised arrangements will be in place within a two year timeframe. In the interim, it is not proposed to recognise any new primary schools, except in areas where the 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 unrelated to demographic growth in areas where there is already sufficient school accommodation or where increases can be catered for by extending existing school accommodation.

The Forward Planning Section of my Department is in the process of identifying the areas where significant additional accommodation will be required at primary and post-primary level for 2009 and onwards. Factors under consideration include population growth, demographic trends, current and projected enrolments, recent and planned housing developments and the capacity of existing schools to meet demand for places. Having considered these factors, decisions will be taken on the means by which emerging needs will be met within an area.

While the review is ongoing, it is proposed that the Department will identify the areas where new schools are required and details will be circulated to all existing Patron Bodies and it will be open to those patrons to put themselves forward as patron for any such new school. This review does not mean that there will be a complete cessation of the school building programme outside areas of rapid growth. This year alone, over €650 million will be spent on the school building programme. In addition to the establishment of new schools in areas of rapid population growth, the normal building programme of modernising, replacing or extending existing schools will continue.