Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 446: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the criteria used in deciding the designation of new community colleges established under the auspices of County Dublin VEC, that is, as either designated or non-designated community colleges; the level of consultation with local religious authorities in this process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45109/08]

Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 447: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the location and number of community colleges established under the auspices of County Dublin VEC between January 2000 and 1 December 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45110/08]

Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 448: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the community colleges, of those which were established under the auspices of County Dublin VEC between January 2000 and 1 December 2008, which are designated community colleges in which the local religious authority has three nominees on the board of management (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45111/08]

Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 449: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the community colleges, of those established under the auspices of County Dublin VEC between January 2000 and 1 December 2008, which are non-designated; the composition of the boards of management in these colleges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45112/08]

Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 450: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the community colleges which were established under the auspices of County Dublin VEC between January 2000 and 1 December 2008; the arrangements made for chaplaincy and the provision of religious education in these schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45113/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 446 to 450, inclusive, together.

In rapidly developing areas where my Department establishes a need for a new post-primary school to meet the educational needs of the area, it is open to recognised Patron Bodies to apply for permission to operate the new school. My Department considers all applications on their merits and also takes into account the desirability of diversity in the classes of existing schools in the general area.

Two Community Colleges under the aegis of Co. Dublin Vocational Education Committee were approved by my Department in the period from January 2000 to date and opened from September 2008. These are located in Donabate, Co. Dublin and Phibblestown, Dublin 15. In both cases the VEC applied to my Department for recognition of these schools as non-designated schools to cater for increasing pupil numbers presenting in these rapidly developing areas.

Publicly-owned schools (Vocational Schools including Community Colleges and Community & Comprehensive Schools) as well as exercising general control over the curriculum and conduct of the school/college ensure that provision is made for religious worship and instruction for their pupils except for such pupils whose parents make a written request to have their children withdrawn from same.

Historically the State funds chaplains in Community & Comprehensive Schools and designated Community Colleges under the VEC. It does so in accordance with agreements reached with Church Authorities at the time of first establishment of those types of schools and reflected in the Deed of Trust for Community Schools and the Model Agreement for Community Colleges.