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

I can assure the Senator that my Department and I work with all patrons. We support Educate Together in its work as a patron, which is certainly recognised. Obviously, the Department cannot favour one particular group that is campaigning for a school because the process under which a school patron is selected is based on parental preferences. Everyone has to have an equal opportunity of competing when a school is identified as needing. The Department does not anoint one patron or another. It is based on parental preference and the need to promote diversity. We do not assume one patron versus another.

There are eight schools currently at second level across the area. They are educating about 3,852 pupils. There is capacity at present but, as I say, we work very closely with the local authorities and have a code of practice with the planning authorities. We get information about the plans. They look at prospective sites when they are planning areas. We seek to work very closely with local authorities in order that the plans for the development of an area are synched with our own. At a time of such pressure on places, we have to see an established need for additional places at second level before we can consider such a process. We are very open to any patron. We are encouraging patrons, but at the end of the day it is parental preference that will decide it when we do identify that a new school is justified. I cannot favour one over another.