Written answers

Wednesday, 22 April 2009

Department of Education and Science

School Accommodation

10:00 pm

Photo of Brendan HowlinBrendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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Question 675: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if he has received an application for approval of funding to facilitate a lease by a school (details supplied) in County Wexford; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that this school is using temporary accommodation which is inadequate for its current enrolment of 24 pupils, that a further 30 pupils will be enrolled in September 2009 and there are applications in respect of 31 in 2010 and 40 in 2011; if he will give favourable consideration to this funding application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15403/09]

Photo of Seán ConnickSeán Connick (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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Question 677: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a school (details supplied) in County Wexford will not have accommodation available for its use from 20 April 2009; if he will give permission to the school to sign a lease on premises which have become available for its use for the remainder of the 2008/2009 school year and the 2009/2010 school year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15461/09]

Photo of Eamon GilmoreEamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Question 734: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the arrangements he has made to provide for school accommodation for a school (details supplied) in County Wexford which is due to lose its rented accommodation on 20 April 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15874/09]

Photo of Brendan HowlinBrendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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Question 738: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a school (details supplied) in County Wexford has been without premises since 20 April 2009; if he has received notification of this problem from the school; the steps he is taking to ensure that the alternative premises identified by the school is sanctioned in order that the education of its pupils can continue without interruption; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15926/09]

Photo of Batt O'KeeffeBatt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 675, 677, 734 and 738 together.

The school to which the Deputies refer commenced operation with provisional recognition from my Department in September 2007. It has a current enrolment of 21 pupils.

When granting provisional recognition, the school was informed by my Department that the provision of accommodation was the responsibility of the school Patron. My Department grant aids the rental of such accommodation.

My Department approved a rental arrangement for the school, which facilitated it to secure its current accommodation until the end of the 2009/2010 school year. It was of the understanding that a lease had been executed to achieve this until it was recently informed by the school authority that it would be necessary for it to vacate the premises after Easter.

My Department made enquiries locally and sourced alternative accommodation to meet the school's needs. However, I am pleased to inform the Deputies that the school resolved the issues with its landlord and the accommodation it occupied continues to be available to it.

The school has submitted proposals for alternative accommodation for the 2009/2010 school year, which will substantially increase the level of funding already approved for its accommodation. This matter is under consideration in the context of the level of the school's accommodation needs and competing demands on the resources of my Department.

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