Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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117. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans for the development of a new secondary school (details supplied); if he will update the issue of patronage of the new secondary school planned for the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29369/16]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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In April 2016 applications were invited for the patronage of nine new post-primary schools to be established in 2017 and 2018, including the new post-primary school to serve the Carpenterstown and Castleknock areas. The closing date for receipt of applications for this process was 8 June 2016. Patrons submitted with their application a parental preference template in which parents have been requested to declare their preference for their child 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). The NSEG is an external independent advisory group set up to oversee the process. Following the Group's consideration, they will submit a report with recommendations to me for consideration and final decision. I will then announce who the successful patron of each school is. I expect to receive this report in the coming weeks.

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