Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 957: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Science if she will provide an update of the talks between the Catholic church and her Department regarding the transfer of school patronage; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15514/10]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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My Department had discussions on this matter with senior representatives of the Catholic Church. The Catholic School Patrons and my Department agreed that it was essential to engage in planning for change. In order to advance the matter, my Department agreed that it would explore the range of issues involved by identifying specific geographical areas where a change of patronage might be relevant.

In this context, officials in my Department are currently carrying out an assessment of 10 locations where changes to patronage may be warranted, given changed demographic profiles in recent decades.

Clearly, any implementation framework that is developed to facilitate the possible transfer of patronage would need to be planned and managed and it would be important in individual school cases for consultation to take place with all relevant stakeholders—parents, teachers and local communities. Any changes could only come about by agreement between the various stakeholders.