Carol Nolan (Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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63. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if there are any instances whereby the provision of Irish language education has been decoupled from the current procedure for patronage for the establishment of new schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31089/16]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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Following consideration of feedback from patrons on previous patronage processes, my Department has moved to incorporate the medium of instruction of a proposed new school as part of the assessment process of the patronage process for the nine new post-primary schools which will open in 2017 and 2018. 

It is open to all prospective patron applicants to propose provision of Irish-medium education in their application for a new school. Parental preferences for each patron, together with the extent of Irish provision, if any, currently available in the area, are key in relation to the outcome of this process. In this regard, prospective patrons are requested to submit completed parental preferences indicating the language through which parents would prefer their child(ren) to be educated.

The assessment process analyses existing Irish-medium provision in the area and also takes into account existing Irish-medium provision in the adjacent school planning areas. Consideration is given to demonstrated demand and long-term sustainability, including provision of a sufficient range of subjects. 

The assessment process for the nine new post-primary schools is at an advanced stage.  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.