Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 691: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the reason for the delay in allowing permission for a school (details supplied); when it will it be given; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22733/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The school to which the Deputy refers 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.

The school has submitted proposals for alternative accommodation for the 2009/2010 school year, which will substantially increase the cost to my Department of providing funding 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.