Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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101. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his views on the awarding of patronage for a school (details supplied) to the education training board without considering the huge demand in the area for an educate together ethos second level school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33919/16]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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Two applications were received by my Department for patronage of the new post-primary school to open in 2017 to cater for the area referred to by the Deputy, one from Educate Together and the other from the relevant Education and Training Board (ETB).

The patronage assessment process is detailed and rigorous and is conducted in a careful and transparent manner.  The draft assessment reports completed by my Department were forwarded to the New Schools Establishment Group, an external independent advisory group set up to oversee the process, for their consideration.  Following the Group's consideration, it submitted a report with recommendations to me for consideration and final decision. 

As with the assessment process for the other eight new post-primary schools opening in 2017 and 2018, parental preferences, along with the extent of diversity in the area, were key considerations in my decision in relation to the patronage of the new school.  In this regard, I am satisfied that both patron applicants would increase multi-denominational, co-educational provision in the area.  There was a clear majority of parental interest favouring the ETB, which provided 809 valid parental preferences.  This was some 29% above the number of preferences expressed for Educate Together, which provided 626 valid parental preferences.  I am satisfied with my decision to award the patronage of this new school to the ETB in this instance. I do not believe that to have awarded the patronage to Educate Together, against the transparently expressed view of the majority of parents, would have been the correct decision. 

The assessment reports and the recommendations of the NSEG are available on my Department's website www.education.ie.