Seán Fleming (Laois, Fianna Fail)
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414. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of a project (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25069/16]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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On 26 April 2016 applications were invited for the patronage of nine new post-primary schools to be established, six in 2017 and a further three in 2018. The closing date for receipt of applications for this process was 8 June 2016. Prospective patrons submitted with their application a parental preference template in which parents have been requested to declare their preference for their child(ren) to be educated through that patron's school model and also their preference with regard to education through the medium of English or Irish.

Applications received are currently being assessed by my Department. The assessment process is detailed and rigorous and numerous applications have been received in respect of each of the nine proposed new post-primary schools. The final assessment reports will be forwarded for the consideration of the New Schools Establishment Group (NSEG) which will submit a report with recommendations to me for my consideration and final decision. It is expected that a determination in relation to the patronage of the new schools, including the one to which the Deputy refers, will be made in the coming weeks.

The assessment reports and the recommendations of the NSEG will be available on my Department's website following the announcement.