Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 103: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the steps she is taking to ensure that all children, especially those from non-Catholic backgrounds, will have access to a primary school place in September 2008; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21521/07]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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In recent years, unprecedented levels of investment to provide existing school facilities and extra school places where needed and forward planning has ensured greater co-operation. This combination of investment and planning has allowed school extensions to be built across the country and many new schools to be built to meet the needs of developing areas.

I beg the Deputy's pardon. I have confused the questions.

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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It is not often the Minister is stuck for words.

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I do not wish to repeat myself.

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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It is the unit.

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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It is the single transferable reply.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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Can the Minister not answer the question without her Department?

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I can, but I did not want to mislead the House. I apologise for the replication in my notes.

The question refers to ensuring that all children have access to primary school places in September. I have outlined the issues concerning school planning, area development plans, the NDP, the provision of money and ensuring diversity in education.

The procedure to establish new schools involves notification by prospective patrons to the schools commission. Deputy Naughten will be interested to note that in recent years the majority of new schools established have been multidenominational. Some two thirds of schools established have been Educate Together or multidenominational. In the current school year — the question refers to 2008 — there are 38 notified applications to establish new schools. Of these, 21 are for multidenominational, English-medium schools, one is an interdenominational Catholic-Protestant gaelscoil and one is an interdenominational Church of Ireland-Anglican English-medium school. These applications demonstrate a move not only to provide places but to ensure that the needs of non-Catholic students are accommodated.

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Is it not the case that the public perception is that the Catholic Church is causing the problem by denying access and that the Department is facilitating the emergence of such a perception? Is it not the case that the policy of Catholic-run schools nationally is to give priority to children within catchment areas established on a parish basis? Is it not the case, therefore, that the real issue is capacity? There has been a severe lack of planning by the Department to provide places on an annual basis. It is not just a Dublin issue, but a national one.

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Hear, hear.

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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What alternative structures does the Minister intend to put in place to address the seeming obstacle of patronage? What specific steps are being taken within the Department to reform its archaic systems which belong to a different century and continue to delay the planning and delivery of projects?

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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It is not fair to accuse the Catholic Church of excluding children.

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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That is the point I am making.

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Deputy Naughten is not making the point the Minister says he is.

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I understood that is what the Deputy said because in fairness to schools I have visited all over the country, one sees in them children of various ethnic and religious backgrounds. They are all being welcomed into the schools.

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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That has been going on for years. It is not just now.

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I know. Then there is no dispute about that. What has been emerging in recent years is demand for greater diversity. The priority must continue to be the provision of places with the provision of diversity as the second priority. Increasingly, newer schools, which are largely being provided in developing areas, are multidenominational. To accommodate the needs of the new Ireland and new communities, we have decided, with Government agreement, to put forward a new patronage model that will be implemented in September 2008. The new model will involve multi-faith schools in which all religions will be taught as well as welcomed and facilitated.

We will open one school under the new model, after which we will be able to consider ways to expand this type of provision. The new model will not represent a substitute or replacement for existing schools, but it will accommodate the new Ireland.

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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When will we see the new model we have been promised for 12 months? When will we see specific and detailed proposals in respect of it? We have heard Government promises on reports and action year on year. We need that action now. The Minister made the point that her first priority is places and her second diversity. She stated earlier that provision in Balbriggan, which in reality is segregated, reflects the new Balbriggan. It is not acceptable. The lack of places and planning has led to the lack of diversity in our schools today. What action will be taken to make provision in 2008 rather than promises on implementation further along the road?

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The issue of diversity is being addressed. For example, among the schools that have indicated an intention to open next year, applications have been made for five new Islamic schools. That is certainly more diverse than the current situation. The new patronage model was not announced 12 months ago; it was announced in February of this year. At the time, I announced the school would open under the new patronage model and that remains the plan. We are holding detailed discussions with County Dublin VEC, which is facilitating the matter. Given that it is new, issues naturally arise pertaining to employment and redeployment and we want to ensure the school is run in the same way as all other national schools. However, it will open in September 2008.

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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We will move on to Question No. 104.

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Is the land in place?

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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It is a patronage model.

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Is the site available?

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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I have called Question No. 104, in the name of Deputy Brian Hayes.