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

The process will start and initially we will run it in a number of areas. Based on any success we may move to another number of areas. It will become a rolling programme and it will be based on surveys of preschool preferences. It will involve working with patrons. We are in the good position that the leadership of Catholic schools recognise that they need to support diversification and the transfer of patronage. As the Deputy has said himself, finding a way to make this happen is the challenge. We are hoping that by working at a local level with education and training boards, which have local representatives and have the confidence of local community groups, they will assist in the delivery of such changes. We hope to start that process soon. If it becomes a more successful model, which I certain hope it will because it does not involve closure, transfer and all the property elements that have been very difficult in the past, I hope it will offer a new pathway to more diversity.

See this speech in context