Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

The Taoiseach may certainly say it to me as leader of Fianna Fáil. On the granting of recognition to new schools and associated patronage, it is a matter for the Minister under the Education Act. He had to make a decision on which patrons should be recognised in each location.

The interim arrangements for the recognition of new primary schools while the review of procedures in this area is under way provide that the chairman of the commission on school accommodation will advise the Minister in cases where more than one patron expresses an interest in opening the new schools in the expanding locations. The submissions from patrons on proposed new schools for 2010 were assessed by the chairman of the commission on school accommodation and the decisions taken are consistent with the recommendations made by the chairman of the commission. They are in line with interim arrangements, pending the continuing consideration of these matters by the commission concerned.

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