Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 6: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if she will reconsider proceeding with three new community national schools; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that concerns have been raised by the members of the religious advisory group supervising the teaching of religion in these pilot schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18299/10]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Following a detailed analysis of projected demographic growth over the coming years and consultation with patron bodies, the former Minister for Education and Science, Deputy Batt O'Keeffe, approved seven new primary schools to open in September in rapidly developing areas. These include three new community national schools in locations in Balbriggan, County Dublin, Navan, County Meath and Naas, County Kildare. The addition of further schools to the community national school model already being piloted in two schools in Dublin 15 will enhance the capacity to make informed decisions on the further roll-out of this new model of patronage in other locations in the future.

The model is proceeding on the basis of clearly stated principles in respect of the availability of religious education during the school day, in conformity with the wishes of parents. The schools welcome and respect all faiths and none and seek to provide for religious education in the main faiths represented within them. This commitment is an important distinguishing feature of the model. The schools also seek to cater for parents who do not wish their children to receive religious education in any one particular faith and they operate through an ethos of inclusiveness and respect for all beliefs, both religious and non-religious.

A multi-belief religious education programme in line with these principles is being developed on an action research basis by the current patron-designate, County Dublin VEC, under the working title, Goodness Me - Goodness You. Developing the programme through action research allows faith communities, teachers, parents and others involved to share in addressing the challenges involved and this process is being supported, in an advisory capacity, by a reference group chaired by County Dublin VEC. The group includes representatives of the main churches and faith or belief groups as well as experts in curriculum development and the teaching of religion. It also includes representatives of non-theist and polytheist perspectives, such as the Humanist Association and the Buddhist community to ensure the programme also reflects the wishes of parents who do not wish their children to participate in faith specific religious education. The group is a forum for the discussion of the many issues that arise as the programme is being developed but it does not have a role in the supervision of religious education in the community national schools.

It is important to say that feedback to date from those involved in the programme on the ground has been very positive. It has been welcomed in particular by parents of children in the schools who have direct experience of the lessons and materials being delivered.

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I thank the Minister for her reply. Is she aware that the group she mentioned has referred to her Department a comprehensive letter setting out a series of questions on the constitutionality and legality of faith formation in a State school within school hours and a number of related queries? I understand the letter was sent this time last year. The group was subsequently informed that the matter had been referred to the Attorney General for advice by representatives in the Department. Does the Minister's briefing note confirm this as accurate and is she in a position to say whether the advice has been received from the Attorney General? The work of the group cannot proceed unless these questions are answered.

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I am not aware of a letter but I am aware of a consultation and ongoing work. The prima facie of much of this issue has been in establishing the diversity of needs and wishes of the parents that in certain circumstances, those with particular faiths wish their children to be taught within school hours as opposed to outside them.

The Deputy asked me to pursue another issue, which I will, in the context of the statutory basis for these schools. I do not have a copy of a letter sent from the advisory group. I am advised that it is progressing the development of the programme which I alluded to, Goodness Me - Goodness You, with a view to providing religious education or faith formation within the schools.

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I accept what the Minister is saying. I will undertake to make available to her the correspondence, and if I do so the Minister might be in a position to respond directly to me.

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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If matters are referred to the Attorney General, his advice is acted upon. In finally bringing the patronage Bill to the House, my assumption is that the issues to be raised will be clarified. I will seek further clarification and I will speak to the Deputy privately if necessary.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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I have a question on the drawing up of the faith formation programme in the schools. Is it odd that this is being done by a group separate to the curriculum development unit or the Department? Why was that decision taken?

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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It is not. The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, NCCA, has advised that faith formation is not a curricular issue. These schools were piloted, with their progress evaluated and what I have heard so far does not concur with what was alluded in a "Prime Time" programme as the majority of the parents are very happy with the work and progress of the schools. I have been advised that now we are not establishing a curriculum on faith formation as it is not within the remit of the NCCA.

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I am concerned about the quality of the briefing material provided to the Minister. It is not within her remit to be directly informed by our own actions; I would not impose that on anybody. If the Minister has had the chance to read the briefing material, does it refer to correspondence from the NCCA to the reference group, in which it advised that faith formation inside school hours for a multiplicity of different belief systems, with a single principal teacher in the classroom, is not the way to go? Is there any reference to that advice in the briefing material?

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The question is not about the advice given to me in the context of the research work. The issue regards supervision of the teaching of religion. As I indicated, they are not involved in the supervision of the teaching of religion in these pilot schools. It concerns supervision.

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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No.

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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That is the question I was asked.

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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It was not.

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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We must move on.

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The question concerns the supervision of teaching of religion in these pilot schools.

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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I am sure bilateral discussions between the Minister and the Deputy will elucidate an answer for the Deputy.