Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 198: To ask the Minister for Education and Science when the existing temporary recognition status of a school (details supplied) in County Kildare will come to an end; the outcome of a recent meeting between himself and the school authorities in connection with the wishes of parents to have this project advanced; if negotiations with himself and third parties have begun regarding potential sites for a building project in respect of this school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24199/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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My Department is guided by a Commission on School Accommodation (CSA) Report produced in 2004 on the "Criteria and Procedures for establishing and maintaining provision through the medium of Irish in second level schools". The report recommends that for an Irish Medium school to be recognised, it must have: • An initial first year projected enrolment of 30 pupils; • A projected average first year enrolment of 40 pupils over six years; • A projected total enrolment of 250-300, six years after opening; • Suitable accommodation; and • Compliance with Section 10 of the Education Act, 1998.

The school to which the Deputy refers has a current enrolment of 105 pupils which falls short of that needed for permanent recognition. In the circumstances, earlier this year, my Department extended the school's temporary recognition for a further three years to allow it the opportunity to develop further.

Schools with temporary recognition are not entitled to capital funding and accommodation for such schools remains the responsibility of a Patron until permanent recognition has been given and until the Department is in a position to make capital provision for them subject to competing demands for the funding available.

With regard to my recent meeting with the school, I have asked my officials to discuss the availability of a site, where the school wishes to re-locate and this will be done in due course. My officials will not be entering into any negotiations in relation to this site as this is the responsibility of the Patron. My Department's preferred option is for the school to remain in its existing accommodation and it has issued a letter supporting its appeal to An Bord Pleanála for retention of planning permission on these premises.