Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Question 59: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the total cost of the work of the forum on patronage and pluralism; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20652/12]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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As the Deputy will be aware, I officially launched the Forum on Patronage and Pluralism in the Primary Sector in April 2011. During the course of its work, the Advisory Group to the Forum conducted a number of public meetings and sought submissions. 215 written submissions were received initially and these were examined by the Advisory Group.

Public working sessions with the main stakeholder groups were held on 22, 23 and 24 June 2011 and a further plenary session was held on 17 November 2011. Following the November session a further 32 submissions were received. These working sessions were broadcast live over the Internet and recordings of the working sessions are available from the Department website, along with all the submissions received and other Forum documents. I published the Report of the Advisory Group to the Forum on Patronage and Pluralism in the Primary Sector on 10 April 2012. The total cost of the Forum to-date is €37,589. This figure includes the cost of printing the report and translation costs.

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Question 60: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when he will begin carrying out parental surveys in the areas identified by the forum on patronage and pluralism; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20653/12]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Question 61: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he supports the recommendation in the report of the Advisory Group to the Forum on Patronage and Pluralism which recommends leaving stand alone schools alone and that a change of patronage should only be considered in areas in which there is a stable population and demand for diversity of schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20654/12]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Question 63: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the progress made to date in arranging the transfer of school buildings from the church; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20656/12]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 60, 61 and 63 together.

The Deputy will be aware that I recently published the Report of the Advisory Group to the Forum on Patronage and Pluralism in the Primary Sector. The overarching aim of the Forum's work was to ensure that schools cater for diversity and ensure an inclusive and respectful environment for all their pupils. The Advisory Group have presented a comprehensive report and I am aware that some of the issues dealt with in the report are sensitive and need to be carefully examined. I have asked the education partners and interested parties to examine the report and take time to reflect on and digest the recommendations. I am considering the report's findings and recommendations and intend to outline my official response next month. As per the commitment in the Programme for Government, a White Paper on Pluralism and Patronage in the primary sector will follow.