Mary White (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party)
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Question 544: To ask the Minister for Education and Science when he expects to make a final decision on whether he will sanction a post-primary school managed by Educate Together. [42670/09]

Mary White (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party)
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Question 545: To ask the Minister for Education and Science his view on whether the sanctioning of a post-primary school under Educate Together management would involve the creation of a new governance structure. [42671/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 544 and 545 together.

Officials from my Department recently met with representatives from Educate Together and there was a wide-ranging discussion about the issues surrounding Educate Together's application to become a patron at second level.

My Department is currently considering a number of broad policy issues relating to the recognition process for second level schools and the application from Educate Together to be recognised as a patron body at second level is being fully examined within the context of legal, financial and other factors that I must consider. The question of the governance structure is also being considered as part of that assessment.

In view of the range of issues involved, it has not been possible to bring this matter to a conclusion as quickly as I would have liked. However, it is my intention to convey a decision to Educate Together at the earliest date possible.