Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 127: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the cost of the two pilot community national school projects to date; the reason the pilot project has been extended before the completion and publication of an evaluation report; if he will clarify the areas of the country expected to see the establishment of the additional pilot schools; the consultation processes with parents in these areas which have taken place; if he will provide a copy of the circular or Government memorandum which determined that the policy of faith formation classes would take place during the compulsory school day; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37099/09]

Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 133: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if he circulated a memorandum to Cabinet in 2007 which dealt with the matter of religious instruction in the two pilot community national schools; if he will release a copy of this memorandum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37077/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 127 and 133 together.

It is important that the decision endorsed by the Government to implement a new model of primary school patronage is adequately supported both in financial and policy terms. In general, the opening of the two new community national schools has not given rise to any expenditure over and above that normally associated with the establishment of a primary school.

A Steering Group has been established to oversee the project. This Group is composed of officials of the Department of Education and Science and of County Dublin VEC. Officials of both bodies serve on the Steering Group as part of their normal duties. Start-up grants and other payments to which the schools are entitled under the Education Act 1998 have been duly paid by the Department. Principals and teaching staff have been appointed in accordance with normal practice in a start-up situation.

In relation to accommodation, both schools are located in premises provided by the Department through the new Developing Areas building programme. Scoil Ghráinne is located in a temporary building provided by County Dublin VEC pending the construction of a first and second level VEC campus on the same site. Recent advances in school planning and building construction within the Department have led to considerable efficiencies and savings and consequent value for money.

The development of the religious education programme being delivered in the schools is being achieved through an Action Research project assisted by a Reference Group made up of representatives of the main faiths and beliefs and of others with expertise and experience in this area.

The pilot phase of the new community national school model is, by its nature, a learning exercise. It will allow us to test approaches and to learn from and draw on experience over time. The joint Department/VEC Steering Group is now focusing its attention on the evaluation process.

In order to fully evaluate the model in different settings, I want to extend the community national school pilot to a number of new locations in 2010. The addition of what is likely to be a limited number of further schools to the pilot will enhance the potential for identifying possible practical issues and trying out new solutions and will enable informed decisions to be made on the further roll-out of this new model of patronage in other locations in the future.

The Forward Planning Section of my Department has carried out a study of the country to identify the areas where, due to demographic changes, there may be a requirement for significant additional school provision at both primary and post-primary levels over the coming years. This study has been conducted using data from the Central Statistics Office, the General Register Office and the Department of Social & Family Affairs in addition to recent schools' enrolment data.

The study indicates that the requirement for additional primary provision in years 2010, 2011 and 2012 is likely to be greatest in more than 40 identified locations across the country based on significant changes to the demographics of those areas. This information has been circulated to all existing school Patrons who have been invited to bring forward proposals for the expansion of existing schools or indeed to put themselves forward as Patron for any new primary school, should it be required. The extension of the community national school model will be considered in that context.

In December 2007, the Government agreed proposals in relation to the development of an additional model of school patronage at primary level which covered the key elements of the new model, including the proposed approach to the religious education of children. The Government noted that, under the pilot model, in as far as possible, provision would be made within the school setting during the school day for the religious education of children in conformity with the wishes of parents, and that the model would also cater for parents who do not wish their children to receive religious education in any one particular faith. The Government further noted that the schools would operate through an ethos of inclusiveness and respect for all beliefs, both religious and non-religious and that the practical issues arising in respect of this element of the pilot model, and the lessons that might be drawn for future-roll out of the model, would be developed during the pilot phase.

It is not my intention to release a copy of the Memorandum to Government in this instance, in accordance with the provisions governing confidentiality of Government papers contained in Section 1.5 'Access to Records' of the Cabinet Handbook produced by the Department of the Taoiseach.