Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 107: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the steps he will take to address the shortage of gaelscoil places; and if he will approve funding for a new gaelscoil to meet the high level of demand in Dublin 12. [5331/11]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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You will appreciate that at present new schools are only being opened where there is a demographic demand for them. Based on demographics it would appear that a new school is not required in the Dublin 12 area. The demand for such new schools therefore arises out of the desire for further choice of educational provision by parents in the area. Providing for such diversity of provision is one of the issues that we need to address in primary education.

The Programme for Government contains a committment to hold a time limited Forum on Patronage and Pluralism in the Primary Sector to enable all stakeholders including parents to engage in open debate on change of patronage in communities where it is appropriate and necessary.

This is also one of the topics raised in a review of the procedures for the establishment of new primary schools undertaken by the Commission on School Accommodation. The Commission's report is finalised and is to be published in the near future. My Department will now need to consider the issues raised in that report.