Noel Grealish (Galway West, Independent)
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To ask the Minister for Education and Skills in view of the fact that there are currently 500 children in County Galway attending Educate Together primary schools and these numbers are set to increase significantly in the coming years, his plans to provide a post-primary Educate Together school in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45785/12]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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As the Deputy will be aware, in June of 2011, I announced that 20 new post-primary schools would be established over the next 6 years. This included a new post primary school to open in Claregalway in 2013. Following on from that announcement, the different patron bodies, including Educate Together, were invited to apply to become patrons of the new schools in each area. Educate Together did not apply to become patron of the Galway school, and patronage was awarded to County Galway VEC. The Forward Planning Section of my Department will continue to analyse demographic data to identify where new schools will be required over the coming years. Should the need for any new post primary schools emerge in Galway county it will be open to Educate Together to apply for patronage as per the established process.