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

As the Deputy will be aware, I recently announced plans for the establishment of 42 new schools over the next four years, 2019 to 2022. This announcement follows a nationwide demographic exercise carried out by the Department into the future need for primary and post-primary schools across the country. The four year horizon will enable increased lead times for planning and delivery of the necessary infrastructure. Where demographic data indicates that additional provision is required, the delivery of the additional provision is dependent on the particular circumstances of each area and may, depending on the circumstances, be provided through either one, or a combination of, the following: utilising existing unused capacity with a school or schools, extending the capacity of a school or schools; or the provision of a new school or schools.

A patronage process is run after it has been decided, based on the demographic analysis, that a new school is required.  This patronage process is open to all patron bodies and prospective patrons.  Parental preferences for each patron, from parents of children who reside in the school planning area concerned, together with the extent of diversity currently available in these areas, are key to decisions in relation to the outcome of this process.  The patronage process for new schools is overseen by an external independent advisory group, the new schools establishment group, NSEG.  Following its consideration of my Department’s assessment reports, the NSEG submits a report with recommendations to me for consideration and final decision.  The assessment reports and the NSEG recommendations for all such patronage processes are made available on my Department's website.

An online patronage process system, OPPS, is currently being developed by my Department to provide objective information to all parents. That will allow them to make an informed choice about their preferred model of patronage for their child’s education. Parental preferences are currently collected based on direct engagement with patron bodies. An initial phased start-up is envisaged for the new schools, which typically involves the use of interim accommodation. However, this is the first time the requirement for new schools is set out over a four year horizon. This will provide a better lead-in period for the planning and delivery of permanent accommodation solutions.  Following on from the announcement, the locations for all of the schools will be determined as part of the site acquisition process.

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