Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 62: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if she will respond to correspondence from an organisation (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38228/10]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will be aware I announced in July this year the setting up of a new framework in relation to the establishment of new second-level schools and their patronage. This will involve an expert Group to be known as the Second-Level Patronage Advisory Group that will consider applications for new schools and advise me in relation to those applications. The Group will undertake survey work of parental views and use the criteria to be set down.

In relation to the new second level school to be established in Gorey, Co. Wexford, I have advanced a process where it is anticipated that a decision on patronage will be made by the end of October or early November 2010.

There have been two expressions of interest from prospective patron bodies who want to manage the new school, namely County Wexford VEC and Educate Together. The process currently underway involves a survey of the views of parents of primary and pre-primary children in the Gorey area and an assessment of the applications from the prospective patrons against the criteria set out for the establishment of new post-primary schools. I will consider the outcome of the survey, while having regard to the general criteria set out as part of my recent announcement on the new framework, in making my decision on the patronage of the new school.