Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 573: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of primary schools owned by the State; the number of primary schools owned by religious orders who are members of the Conference of Religious of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42594/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The total number of National Schools in operation for the school year 2006/07 was 3,284 as set out in my Department's Education Statistics leaflet published earlier this year. As the Deputy will be aware the vast majority of primary schools are privately owned and publicly-funded institutions. The information requested by the Deputy in relation to schools owned by the Conference of Religious of Ireland is not readily available from my Department.

In preparing the Annual Appropriation Accounts, my Department's Statement of Capital Assets includes details of sites acquired and developed sites where control has been transferred to the Boards of Management during that accounting year. As part of the restructuring of the Planning and Building Unit early this year, the newly formed Site Acquisition and Property Management Section is compiling an aggregate list of national schools owned by the Minister. I have instructed my officials to forward same to the Deputy as soon as this exercise has been completed.