Aindrias Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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265. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the new schools establishment group has submitted its report and recommendations on the establishment of four new schools during 2017 and 2018 to him for consideration; and if so, when he will notify the patron of a new school (details supplied). [16326/17]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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On 28 November 2016 applications were invited for the patronage of four new primary schools to be established in 2017 and 2018, including the new primary school to which the Deputy refers.  The closing date for receipt of applications for this process was 6 January 2017.  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 four proposed new 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 consideration and final decision. 

It is expected that the assessment process will be completed and that a determination in relation to the patronage of the new schools will be made in the coming weeks.  All patrons will be notified once I have made my final decision.

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