Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 87: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to reported proposals from a number of religious orders to establish collaborative trusts to run schools under their control; if there have been any discussions with her Department on this proposal; if her attention has further been drawn to concerns that such a change might hasten the closure of schools around the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13021/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Members of religious orders have kept in close touch with my Department about the evolution of trust boards in their sector. At the core of this approach is an intent and desire to secure the future of the ethos of these schools at a time when the role of members of the orders in day to day management will be greatly diminished as a result of falling numbers of religious. I do not see the trust board concept as a threat to the continuation of a school of any particular ethos. While there is no doubt that issues of demographics and parental choice will have an impact on the future shape of educational delivery in Ireland, I do not see the advent of trust boards per se as resulting in school closures.