Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As I indicated to Deputy Stanley, there are nine. There is an external independent advisory group which oversees the process. The information I have is that it is expected to report to me within the coming weeks. I want to reassure Deputy Stanley that the school will open as scheduled in September 2017 in suitable interim accommodation, pending the completion of construction of the permanent school building. The school is also included in the six-year investment programme. It is clearly a school that has been acknowledged.

The selection of a patron is a process that must be fair and objectively carried out. As I stated in the reply, those engaged in that process listen to the views of parents of prospective children, consider the diversity of offer to make sure that there is the range of choice, and take account of the parents' preferences. The process is designed to be as fair as possible and to offer choice to reflect the parents' views.

See this speech in context