Mr. Paul Rowe:

I must note I am not an official of the Department of Education and Skills and the accurate communication of such data is the responsibility of the Minister and his officials. However, I can tell the Senator that the response to the surveys was low but the sheer numbers expressed of those seeking change were highly significant. In other words, those who expressed a desire for change and those who expressed the desire to avail of change were significant in 27 of the 28 areas of the review to give viability for at least one single stream of a primary school. This would mean a steady flow of at least 28 children coming in each year over a significant period. However, I must say to the Senators that while these are the figures expressed in these formal surveys, Educate Together's own figures indicate very much larger numbers than those expressed in the survey. The survey was an online survey and was the first time the State had ever elicited the views of parents of a school type in the entire history of the State, which itself indicates some significance to the importance the State has given this issue over a number of years. While there were learnings to be gathered by this survey process, I insist that in respect of what is Educate Together's knowledge of this particular issue, the results of the survey were a significant understatement of the extent of demand. To give a practical response to that, Educate Together is in the position whereby if it had the resources and access to accommodation to so do, it could open 50 new primary schools this year, whereas we will actually only open six primary schools this year.