Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Question 166: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the timings of the work of the forum on patronage; and his response to same. [15676/11]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I announced my intention to establish a Forum on Patronage and Pluralism in the Primary Sector on 28th March, 2011. On 19th April, I officially launch the Forum and noted that the Advisory Group to oversee the work of the Forum would be chaired by Professor John Coolahan who would be assisted by Dr Caroline Hussey and Ms Fionnuala Kilfeather. At the launch, the Advisory Group sought written submissions on key themes. The Group set a closing date of June 7th, 2011 for the submissions. Almost 200 submissions have been received.

There is a three day open working session of the Forum on 22nd, 23rd and 24th June. This will involve dialogue between the Advisory Group and thirteen main stakeholders plus the Department of Education and Skills. The dialogue will be based on questions and discussions arising from their written submissions.

An Interim Report will be prepared by early November 2011. It is planned to hold a plenary conference during November where the main recommendations of the Interim Report can be discussed. Subsequent to this, the Advisory Group, which is independent of the Department of Education and Skills, will prepare a final report to be submitted to me by the end of the year.