Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)

As I previously indicated to the House, the commission on school accommodation is currently reviewing the procedures for the establishment of new primary schools. The term of office of the new schools advisory committee expired in August 2008 and on foot of the issues raised within its reports and in light of changing demographic trends, I announced a review of the committee's procedures. When I announced the commencement of that review, I also stated that no new primary schools would be established pending the completion of the review and the implementation of the revised procedures, except in cases in which new schools were warranted because of increased demographics. The commission is due to report to me soon.

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 should advise me in cases in which more than one patron expresses an interest in opening new schools in those locations in which they are required to meet demographic increases. The forward planning section of my Department has carried out a study of the country to identify the areas where, due to demographic changes, there may be a requirement for significant additional school provision at both primary and post-primary levels over the coming years. Following on from this detailed analysis, it appeared prudent to plan for the establishment of new schools to commence operation in September 2010 to meet increasing demand in certain identified areas.

Information regarding the areas of most significant demographic change and likely increase in pupil numbers was circulated to all existing patrons during 2009. Details were not circulated to the National Parents Council. As I explained previously, the term of office of the new schools advisory committee had expired in August 2008. As it had not been reconstituted pending the completion of the review of the procedures for the establishment of new schools, the question of consulting it did not arise. The patrons were invited to bring forward proposals for the expansion of existing schools to cater for the increased pupil numbers or to put themselves forward as patrons for any new primary school, where required. The submissions received from the patrons regarding the proposed new schools for 2010 were assessed by the chairman of the commission on school accommodation.

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