Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 42: To ask the Minister for Education and Science when a decision will be made on an application from Clare VEC to be patron to two national schools in the county; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10734/07]

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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Question 97: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if she will sanction further schools under the patronage of vocational education committees; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10715/07]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 42 and 97 together.

I recently announced my intention to introduce a new model of primary school patronage to be located in Diswellstown, Dublin using the administrative framework of the County Dublin Vocational Education Committee. Pending the completion of the consultation process and the evaluation of the pilot community primary school project in Diswellstown, Dublin, I have decided as a matter of policy that no vocational education committee (with the exception of the aforementioned pilot community primary school project) shall act as a patron in respect of a primary school or otherwise, establish or maintain a primary school until further notice. Therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred under section 14 of the Vocational Education (Amendment) Act 2001, I have directed VECs not to establish or maintain primary schools and not to seek recognition of primary schools or recognition as Patrons pursuant to the provisions of the Education Act 1998 until further notice or direction.