Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 523: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding an application by centres (details supplied) for official recognition as alternative centres of education as provided for in the Education Act 1998. [24913/09]

Seán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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My Department has provided funding for a number of years to the projects referred to by the Deputy towards programme costs, under the Fund for the Development of Targeted Educational Responses to Certain Children at Risk. These projects have also been supported by my Department through an annual allocation of teaching hours under the Co-Operation with Other Institutions Scheme. These projects are among a number of projects which are currently being evaluated by the Evaluation, Support and Research Unit in conjunction with the Inspectorate of my Department. Post-evaluation meetings are currently taking place to provide feedback to the projects involved.

Following the outcome of the evaluation, a decision will be made as to the future arrangements including funding and possible mainstreaming of projects or models of intervention. Depending on the outcome of the evaluation, applications for official recognition as alternative centres of education may then be considered. Projects will be informed in due course in this regard.