Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 93: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his views on recognising Educate Together as a patron body for second level schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5834/11]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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The Programme for Government gives a commitment to move towards a more pluralist system of patronage at second level, recognising a wider number of patrons. It is my intention to address this policy over the lifetime of this Government. My immediate priority has been to establish a National Forum on Patronage and Pluralism in the primary school sector. This will take a multi-dimensional approach involving consultations with the key education stakeholders, including parents over the course of this year. I will turn my attention to the issue of the patronage at second level in due course and I will consider the role that all patron bodies, including Educate Together, can play in ensuring our education system caters for a pluralism of choice which reflects the needs of Ireland today and into the future.