Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 31: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the proposals, if any, there are to expand the role of vocational education committees in the patronage of primary schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14480/11]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Since 2008 Vocational Education Committees have played an important role in providing an additional model of school patronage at primary level through the operation of Community National Schools. These schools are established on a pilot basis and the experience of their operation will inform further consideration of this model. I acknowledge the work of the VECs of counties Dublin, Kildare and Meath in this area.

I intend to consider further the role of VECs in the provision of primary education following the conclusion of the work of the Forum on Patronage and Pluralism in the Primary Sector which I launched on 19th April last. I expect to receive the report of the advisory group to the forum by the end of the year. I will also be considering generally the future role of the VECs in the context of the restructuring of VECS.