Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 86: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if she will keep her commitment to establish a new model of national school with the VEC as its patron by September 2008; the location of the school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32959/07]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Historically, the church authorities acted as patrons or sponsors of primary schools by initiating the process of establishing a new school when one was needed to serve a specific geographic area. The vast majority of primary schools are privately owned, publicly-funded institutions, the denominational character and ethos of which is respected by the State. This model of school provision has been incrementally evolving to reflect changes in demand and in the expectations of society, notably the demand for diversity. With these changes, there has been an increase in the number of patron bodies seeking recognition for new schools.

To meet the challenges posed by demands for greater diversity, I announced on 17 February 2007 my intention to introduce a new model of primary school patronage on a pilot basis. This new model will have the capacity to cater for the wishes of parents for denominational, multi-denominational and non-denominational education within the framework of a single patron model and a single board of management structure. The framework for the new model will be representative of and designed to cater for the diversity of religious beliefs within an area served by a primary school. The new model of patronage will be used particularly in growing areas. It is not intended that the new model will replace the existing models. The existing models will continue as heretofore but the proposed model will be an option available where the specific local circumstances warrant the new approach.

Following my announcement, officials in my Department engaged in consultations with the Education Partners and the County Dublin Vocational Education Committee to explore the detailed implementation measures that will need to be in place prior to the introduction of the new model. The initiative has been broadly welcomed by the Education Partners. Work on the development of the new patronage model is on-going within my Department, in consultation with the Education Partners, and it is intended that the pilot project will be operational by September 2008.