Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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Question 42: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the implications resulting from his decision to change the criteria by which gaelscoileanna are founded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14454/11]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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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 was recently published on my Department's website. The report's recommendations and proposals are a useful contribution to the deliberations of the recently established Forum on Patronage and Pluralism in the Primary Sector. A review was deemed necessary given the rapid growth in population and changing demographics in recent years.

The report recognises the increasing parental demand for diversity of school provision and in particular for Irish medium and multi-denominational/non-denominational education. 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. In this regard, I wish to point out that approval has been given to recognise a new Gaelscoil in Ashbourne , County Meath, from September 2011 and approval has also been given to recognise a new Gaelscoil in Mulhuddart, Co. Dublin from September 2012. Both these schools will be under the patronage of An Foras Pátrúnachta.