Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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18. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the transfer of school patronage and the numbers of schools that have requested a transfer; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43702/15]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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The Programme for Government gives a commitment to move towards a more pluralist system of patronage for our schools. In this context, the Government established a Forum on Patronage and Pluralism in the Primary Sector. The Forum advised on how the education system can provide a sufficiently diverse number and range of primary schools catering for all religions and none and on the practicalities of transferring patronage of primary schools where it is appropriate.

Following surveys of parents in 43 areas, there was sufficient parental demand supporting change in 28 of these areas. To date, eight new primary schools have opened under the patronage divesting process.

In order to reinvigorate the patronage divesting process, I recently met with the Catholic Bishops and yesterday met with representatives from Education and Training Boards Ireland (ETBI). I have also arranged to meet with representatives from Educate Together next week. My Department is continuing to work intensively with the main stakeholders to advance alternative choices for 2016 and beyond and to achieve greater diversity of school provision.