TAOISEACH BERTIE Ahern and four senior Fianna Fáil Ministers, including Brian Cowen, made representations to Minister for Education Mary Hanafin concerning a contentious application by a Co Clare Steiner school for State recognition.
The representations on behalf of Mol an Óige Steiner school are revealed from records released through the Freedom of Information Act. Steiner schools are non-hierarchical, independent, self-governing entities.
Eight local primary schools were among 52 objections lodged against the Mol an Óige proposal to be the first such school to secure State recognition.
The schools complained that the new school would put at risk the viability of existing schools in the area, while the Department of Education received 151 letters in support of Mol an Óige. In February, Ms Hanafin granted Mol an Óige one year recognition from September next and permanent recognition will be contingent on the outcomes of comprehensive inspection of the school.
With recognition, the State will now pay the teachers’ salaries and fund the school’s building programme.
The records show that along with the letter from Mr Ahern last November, representations were also made by Minister for Finance, Brian Cowen, Minister for Agriculture Mary Coughlan, Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs Éamon Ó Cuív, while Junior Minister Tony Killeen made six representations.
