Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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460. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to support Educate Together’s Four Essentials for Equality in Education commitment (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4970/16]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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The government has prioritised a more pluralist system of patronage for our schools. In this regard, new arrangements were put in place in 2011 for the establishment of new primary and post-primary schools. These arrangements give parents an opportunity to express their preference for the type of new school to be established. Since 2011, forty-five new schools have been established in areas of demographic need and all of these have involved consultation with parents as to their preferred type of school. Over 90% of the new schools (forty-one out of the forty-five) have a multi-denominational ethos.

It has also been a priority to expand diversity of provision in the existing school network. Given that most of the existing primary schools are under the patronage of the Catholic church, there has been an ongoing engagement with the Catholic Church with regard to transferring patronage of schools in particular areas. To date, eight new primary schools have opened under the patronage divesting process. Work is ongoing to deliver new options for parents in other areas as quickly as possible.

With regard to funding, the education budget for 2016 is the largest investment in education in recent years. An additional €144m has been provided and this will drive reform, provide a better learning environment for students and teachers and provide additional supports at higher level.