Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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Question 15: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills when she expects to publish the Education (Patronage) Bill 2010 in order that the community national school model can be given a statutory basis upon which to operate; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23726/10]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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As outlined in the Government Legislative Programme, the Education (Patronage) Bill 2010 is to be published during the current session.

The Community National School primary school model involves individual VEC's acting as Patron in line with the practice that applies in the primary system generally and the draft legislation which I propose to introduce to the Dáil very shortly will give statutory effect to these arrangements. The legislative proposals will also underpin the independent status of a primary school Board of Management established by a VEC.

Pending enactment of the Bill, I as Minister for Education and Skills, am acting for the interim period as patron of the five Community National Schools established to date – Scoil Choilm, Scoil Ghráínne and Scoil Chormaic in County Dublin, Naas Community National School in County Kildare and Árd Rí Community National School in County Meath.

The development of the Community National School model of primary school is a response to the level of societal diversity and demographic change which is underway in this country. It represents an additional patronage option which will sit alongside the established patrons in the primary system as an option for parents who, increasingly, seek greater choice in school type for their children. As noted in this House during the recent statements on the Diversification of Primary School Provision, the discussion on the draft legislation will be an opportunity to explore the many issue that arise in relation to this new patronage model. I look forward to that debate.