Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 101: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if his Department had formal or informal discussions or negotiations with representatives of the religious order of Christian Brothers which controls and manages 59 secondary schools and 37 primary schools with 35,000 students and employs 2,700 teachers, on its establishment of the Edmund Rice Schools Trust consisting entirely of lay persons which will replace the religious order of the Christian Brothers in the management of the schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19722/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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Members of religious orders, including representatives of the Christian Brothers, have kept my Department advised from time to time on the evolution of Trust Boards in their sector and the work they were engaged in to secure the future of the schools concerned. My Department is aware also that the Christian Brothers kept the relevant stakeholders, such as the management and teaching personnel of the schools concerned, informed of the progress they were making. At the core of the establishment of Trust Boards, including the Edmund Rice Schools Trust, 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.

The endeavour of the different religious orders in establishing Trust Boards in order to secure the future of their schools is commendable and is consistent with their commitment and contribution over a long period to education in Ireland.