Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 63: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills with regard to the process of establishing a new secondary school in Gorey, County Wexford, the measures that were taken to ensure objectivity in the process of assessment of the two applications for patronage of the proposed new post-primary school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43425/10]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy may be aware, in July of this year I announced a significant reform of the process for the recognition of new second-level schools. The new framework to be established will involve the setting out of clear criteria against which new second level school applications will be assessed and will increase the transparency of decision making, with the establishment of a small expert group to advise on second-level patronage applications. I intend to establish this group shortly and seek its input prior to the finalisation of detailed criteria and procedures.

Due to time constraints I announced in relation to the new second level school to be established in Gorey that I would be advancing with a process whereby I would be in a position to make a decision by late October/ early November.

In relation to this new second level school, I have recently announced that Co. Wexford VEC is to be Patron of this proposed new school. This decision followed a process undertaken by my Department which involved a meeting with the prospective patron bodies, the receipt of submissions from the prospective patron bodies, an interview with them and a survey of parental preferences. There was also a Public Information Meeting in Gorey which was attended by the applicant patron bodies and DES officials.

Both applicant patrons were kept fully informed at every stage of this process. The report on the process is available on my Department's website.