Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Question 149: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the progress made to date in relation to a proposal (details supplied); when this application is likely to be approved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33001/12]

Kevin Humphreys (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 181: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there is significant demand in the Dublin 6, 8 and 12 area for a new multidenominational school; if any plans have been drawn up in his Department towards recognising the start up group that currently exists; if there has been any consideration of any potential there may be locally for divestment of a current school to cater for this demand; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33603/12]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 149 and 181 together.

In June of last year I announced that up to 40 new schools are to be established within the next six years to provide sufficient school capacity to meet our increased demographics. These consisted of twenty new primary schools and twenty new post-primary schools. This announcement did not include a proposal to establish a new primary school in the areas referred to by the Deputies.

On foot of recommendations in the Report of the Advisory Group to the Forum on Patronage and Pluralism in the Primary Sector, I recently announced an Action Plan to progress divesting Catholic schools in certain areas.

Surveying will be carried out in five pilot areas initially in October this year and surveys in the balance of the forty four areas will take place in November. The 44 initial areas where surveys of parental preferences will be carried out include the Dublin 6 and 8 districts.

The outcome of the initial surveys will then be made available to the relevant school patrons who will be asked to come forward with divesting options in line with parental preferences within the areas. Full details of the Action Plan are available on my Department's website www.education.ie