Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

The Deputy will be aware that in July this year I announced a significant reform of the process for recognition of new second-level schools. The new framework to be established will involve the setting out of clear criteria against which new second-level school applications are to be assessed and will increase the transparency of decision making, with the establishment of a small expert group to advise on second-level school patronage applications.

Our latest projections show an expected increase of over 67,000 post-primary pupils in the State by 2024. While this increase would equate to circa 67 new post-primary schools catering for 1,000 pupils each, in practice it is likely that the increase will be met through the expansion of a large number of existing schools as well as the establishment of new schools.

The new framework I am putting in place will provide greater clarity into the future, allowing applications to be made where there is demographic need and establishing minimum sizes for such new schools. The expert group, to be known as the second level patronage advisory group, will consider applications for new schools and make recommendations in regard to those applications, having undertaken survey work of parental views and using the criteria to be set down. I plan to establish the group very shortly and will seek its input prior to the finalisation of the detailed criteria and procedures.

In regard to two schools to be established in the near future, the new second level school in Clonburris, Lucan, will be formally established as a VEC school in partnership with Educate Together. I have asked County Dublin VEC and Educate Together to discuss the approach to achieving this with my Department. This will be the first time Educate Together will have a patronage role at second level.

On the new second level school to be established in Gorey for the coming school year, I recently announced that County Wexford VEC is to be patron of this new school. This decision followed a process undertaken by my Department, which involved a meeting with the prospective patron bodies, an interview with them and a survey of parental preferences in Gorey. My Department's report on the process has been published on its website. It includes details on the survey of parental preferences in the area.

See this speech in context