Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 2: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if the way in which the patronage of the second post-primary school in Gorey, County Wexford was decided, will now be used on a country-wide basis in determining the choice of patron of the estimated seventy new post primary schools that will be required to meet the projected future growth in the school-going population; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47782/10]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy will be aware that in July this year I announced a significant reform of the process for recognition of new second-level schools. The new framework to be established will involve the setting out of clear criteria against which new second-level school applications are to be assessed and will increase the transparency of decision making, with the establishment of a small expert group to advise on second-level school patronage applications.

Our latest projections show an expected increase of over 67,000 post-primary pupils in the State by 2024. While this increase would equate to circa 67 new post-primary schools catering for 1,000 pupils each, in practice it is likely that the increase will be met through the expansion of a large number of existing schools as well as the establishment of new schools.

The new framework I am putting in place will provide greater clarity into the future, allowing applications to be made where there is demographic need and establishing minimum sizes for such new schools. The expert group, to be known as the second level patronage advisory group, will consider applications for new schools and make recommendations in regard to those applications, having undertaken survey work of parental views and using the criteria to be set down. I plan to establish the group very shortly and will seek its input prior to the finalisation of the detailed criteria and procedures.

In regard to two schools to be established in the near future, the new second level school in Clonburris, Lucan, will be formally established as a VEC school in partnership with Educate Together. I have asked County Dublin VEC and Educate Together to discuss the approach to achieving this with my Department. This will be the first time Educate Together will have a patronage role at second level.

On the new second level school to be established in Gorey for the coming school year, I recently announced that County Wexford VEC is to be patron of this new school. This decision followed a process undertaken by my Department, which involved a meeting with the prospective patron bodies, an interview with them and a survey of parental preferences in Gorey. My Department's report on the process has been published on its website. It includes details on the survey of parental preferences in the area.

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I thank the Minister for her reply. Does the Minister, as outgoing Minister for Education and Skills, accept in principle that it is desirable to have parental choice in our education system? If so, does she believe this should be extended in the primary area where Educate Together has already established a clear position? Does the Minister, as a person with expertise in education, recognise that parental choice and, by implication, competition is a spur to good overall educational outcomes across the entire spectrum? On that basis, is it the Minister's intention to apply the model applied in Gorey to every other new post-primary school, in respect of which Wexford VEC was able to deploy resources of the order of €50,000 to campaign for a referendum outcome? Is this what the Minister is looking for?

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I believe in parental choice. Arising from the survey that took place in Gorey, 65% of respondents expressed a preference for County Wexford VEC as patron of the new school, with 35% expressing a preference for Educate Together. The results of this survey were part of the decision making process.

The advisory group will be set up quickly. We have already set down formal criteria in respect of this process. Arising from the discussions that took place in Clonburris and Wexford we will finalise those criteria, which will be published. I do not agree with the view that parental choice in Gorey was not taken into consideration. It is also wrong to suggest that Educate Together had not lobbied or set up a group, either in Lucan or Gorey, to put forward its views or perspectives. If the Deputy comes to my office I will show him correspondence in regard to the considerable amount of lobbying and fundraising activities undertaken by Educate Together, with which I do not have a problem. I agree with the tenet of what the Deputy is asking me, namely, does parental choice have a relevance when it comes to new patronage. The answer is "Yes".

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Will the Minister, therefore, not agree notwithstanding the mechanics of the referendum and amount of taxpayers' money that was spent by Wexford VEC, that she has denied parental choice in Gorey where there are now two schools under the one patronage? Here was a classic example of offering choice in terms of patronage, which is the issue. In this instance we are speaking of one of the largest post-primary schools in the country, which is functioning well. We need another school because of the population increase, which the Minister says will be 67,000 extra pupils by 2020.

In a town like Gorey, which is in the outer suburbs of the east coast metropolis, stretching from Wexford to Dundalk, the Minister could have given parental choice without going through this elaborate time wasting process. She could simply have acknowledged Gorey has one VEC at post-primary level, which is a good school, and could have given patronage of the other school to another body, Education Together which has a proven track record.

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Gorey post-primary school is a community college and not a VEC school.

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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The patron is the VEC.

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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No. The patron is the VEC and the Orders. The existing school in Gorey is-----

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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It is an amalgam of a number of schools.

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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-----an amalgam of a number of schools that came together.

I gave a commitment to the people in Gorey that we would address their concerns for next year. It was on this basis a number of children were allowed to attend the school. I gave a financial package to the community college at that time in order to address its immediate needs. I also gave an undertaking in regard to the patronage, the appointment of a principal and to bring together a school for next year.

I do not accept the accusation that there was any manipulation of the parental choice opportunities provided. The competition between Education Together and Wexford VEC was open, in respect of which briefings were made available and people could put forward their proposals, all of which were excellent. The scoring of both bodies was similar. The decision at the end of the day was based on 65% of parents opting for VEC patronage.

We will have to build many new schools over the next number of years, in respect of which a variety of patrons may express an interest. It is for this reason I am setting up the advisory group. The chairman of the group, Mr. Frank Murray, was involved in adjudicating on the surveys, which were independently assessed. The real needs of the people of Gorey need to be met. For this reason, I have fully addressed the issues raised with me by the group when in Gorey, at which time I also met with political representatives of all parties. I was determined to deliver on the undertaking I gave and have done so.