Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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58. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will produce the new roadmap on reconfiguration by the end of 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35019/16]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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The Programme for a Partnership Government reflects the Government's objective of strengthening parental choice and further expanding diversity in our school system. The desire of parents for diversity in education is primarily being pursued by increasing the number of non-denominational and multi-denominational schools with a view to reaching 400 by 2030.   

In addition to the phased transfer of Catholic schools to new patrons already under way, this requires considering new ideas and new approaches to substantially accelerate the changes in school provision in order to achieve greater diversity.  By developing new approaches I am convinced that we can significantly increase the number of non-denominational and multi-denominational schools.  In this regard, after taking office and in the context of developing my Action Plan for Education 2016-2019, I held meetings with a broad range of stakeholders, including patron and management bodies, as did my officials, to discuss how best this can be achieved.  

I am progressing the patronage divesting/reconfiguration programme as a priority.  I plan to announce the new approaches which will be pursued in that regard within the timeframe indicated in the Action Plan for Education.