Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 114: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he has received submissions from a school (details supplied) in County Kildare with reference to primary and or second level requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14763/11]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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My Department has received expressions of interest from the organisation referred to for the establishment of new schools at both primary and post-primary level in various locations in County Kildare.

At primary level the Deputy will be aware that a review of the criteria and procedures for the establishment of new primary schools has been undertaken by the Commission on School Accommodation and its report has recently been published on my Department's website. It will be necessary to consider the report's recommendations and proposals. In the interim it is not proposed to recognise any new primary schools, except in areas where the increases in pupil numbers cannot be catered for in existing schools and which require the provision of new schools. The establishment of new schools, including the establishment of new schools in the Kildare area, will be considered in this context.

In line with a commitment given in The Programme for Government I have launched a Forum on Patronage and Pluralism in the Primary Sector which will enable all stakeholders including parents to engage in open debate on change of patronage in communities where it is appropriate and necessary. The Forum intends to develop a mechanism by which a change of patronage in existing schools can occur.

In regard to second level, the Deputy will be aware that 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. In line with this policy I have recently confirmed the Government's view that the organisation referred to by the Deputy meets all the requirements to operate as a patron of a second-level school.

I intend to prioritise the development of a new framework for the recognition of new second-level schools in the context of the Government's commitment to plurality. The decision on the patronage of any individual school will be made following the process to be established under this framework.