Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 2: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the criteria and methodology he used in selecting the location and patronage of the seven new primary schools which he announced on 16 February 2010; whether the commission on school accommodation, the new schools advisory committee or the National Parents Council were consulted in advance of this decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10923/10]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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As I previously indicated to the House, the commission on school accommodation is currently reviewing the procedures for the establishment of new primary schools. The term of office of the new schools advisory committee expired in August 2008 and on foot of the issues raised within its reports and in light of changing demographic trends, I announced a review of the committee's procedures. When I announced the commencement of that review, I also stated that no new primary schools would be established pending the completion of the review and the implementation of the revised procedures, except in cases in which new schools were warranted because of increased demographics. The commission is due to report to me soon.

The interim arrangements for the recognition of new primary schools while the review of procedures in this area is under way provide that the chairman of the commission on school accommodation should advise me in cases in which more than one patron expresses an interest in opening new schools in those locations in which they are required to meet demographic increases. The forward planning section of my Department has carried out a study of the country to identify the areas where, due to demographic changes, there may be a requirement for significant additional school provision at both primary and post-primary levels over the coming years. Following on from this detailed analysis, it appeared prudent to plan for the establishment of new schools to commence operation in September 2010 to meet increasing demand in certain identified areas.

Information regarding the areas of most significant demographic change and likely increase in pupil numbers was circulated to all existing patrons during 2009. Details were not circulated to the National Parents Council. As I explained previously, the term of office of the new schools advisory committee had expired in August 2008. As it had not been reconstituted pending the completion of the review of the procedures for the establishment of new schools, the question of consulting it did not arise. The patrons were invited to bring forward proposals for the expansion of existing schools to cater for the increased pupil numbers or to put themselves forward as patrons for any new primary school, where required. The submissions received from the patrons regarding the proposed new schools for 2010 were assessed by the chairman of the commission on school accommodation.

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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While I am tempted to say something, I instead will ask the question.

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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The Chair is glad to hear that.

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Why would a patron such as the Roman Catholic Church in Ireland, which controls 92% of national schools, which the Primate and Archbishop of Dublin has acknowledged to be a legacy of the past that does not represent the geography of the present in sociological terms, get two out of the seven new schools in an area in which University College Galway identified the presence of 33 different nationalities and noted that a multicultural approach was required to accommodate that school? Did the Minister made this decision or did he acquiesce to a decision made by Mr. Murray, the chairman of the commission on school accommodation?

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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First, I made the decision. I certainly consulted Mr. Murray, having received a recommendation from him with regard to this matter, and I thought the decision was appropriate given the circumstances pertaining to the seven schools. If the Deputy wishes, I can give him the circumstances pertaining to Galway.

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Yes, please.

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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Doughiska is a new area of population built to the east of Galway city. As has been pointed out, a VEC application had merit and an application was made by Educate Together, which previously had received approval to start a school in the Galway area. However, it did not materialise because the patron body was unable to source a suitable site. In addition, we had regard to the area in question and this is what was important. It was noted that there appears to be a strong position for this school to be established because according to the census of 2006, almost 87% of the population in that area are Catholic adherents. A new school under Catholic patronage therefore would cater for the largest segment of the local population. Consideration could be given at some future date to a school under different patronage to provide diversity of provision in the area. It was recommended on this basis.

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Does the Minister accept that the distribution of patronage across the country is a distortion from the past that no longer fits the contours of modern sociological Ireland?

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I accept that greater diversity has come in and there are areas in which such diversity must be and will be recognised. The case in question has attracted criticism from Educate Together for instance. However, that body was awarded the patronage of two schools out of seven. While Educate Together has been highly critical on this occasion, I refer back to 2008, when patronage was issued in respect of 25 schools. On that occasion Educate Together was awarded the patronage of 12 schools. This time, in the circumstances that presented themselves, Educate Together deservedly was awarded the patronage of two schools. However, I also had made clear, in respect of the pilot VEC national school project, that I sought the rolling out of others in different locations and environments with different school mixes to ascertain how the pilot might work.

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Can the Minister explain how he allocated three out of the seven schools to a patron body that does not have the legal status to be a patron at primary level?

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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The Minister, in a final reply.

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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Some time ago, I indicated that I intended this year to roll out at least two more pilot projects under the VEC. As the Deputy is aware, an interim measure has been put in place. As the Deputy also is aware, I am about to bring the education (patronage) Bill to the Dáil and hopefully it will become law before the end of the year. In the interim period, however, legal arrangements have been put in place in respect of the patronage of the schools.

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Will the Minister publish those legal arrangements?

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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Yes.