Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Solidarity)
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198. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will report on the proposed reconfiguration process in school patronage; if school patronage surveys have been undertaken; if so, if he will report on the results; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38773/18]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, I developed the new schools reconfiguration for diversity process, which is aimed at providing more multi-denominational and non-denominational schools across the country, in line with the choices of families and school communities and the Programme for Government commitment for 400 such schools by 2030.

There are two Phases to the new process – the Identification Phase and the Implementation Phase.

The Identification Phase is currently underway in 16 areas nationwide. Each of the 16 Education and Training Boards (ETBs) have selected an initial pilot area within their district, which they consider, based on census data and local knowledge, there exists a demand for more diversity in educational provision. Surveys of parents of pre-school children have been carried out in these areas by the relevant City/County Childcare Committee on behalf of the ETBs. ETBs, having analysed the survey results, draw up comprehensive reports on the position in relation to each of the 16 pilot areas. This forms the basis of discussions with the most prevalent patron/landowner in the area (the Catholic Bishop in most cases) concerning the transfer of patronage of an existing school(s) to meet that demand. The response by the landowner/patron to any identified demand for greater diversity is included in the report prepared by the ETB, for submission to my Department, who will subsequently publish the reports. The publication of reports is expected to occur shortly.

Following the publication of the first round of reports, the Schools Reconfiguration process will move into the Implementation Phase. This Phase involves consultation with local school communities on accommodating demand for diversity by transferring patronage of an existing school to a new multi-/non-denominational patron. Draft protocols for the Implementation Phase are at an advanced stage of development and consultation with Catholic Church representatives is ongoing.

A second round of town selections and surveys of pre-school parents will be organised by ETBs when the outcomes of the initial round of pilot surveys have been assessed and any necessary adjustments made in the process.

I believe that this new Schools Reconfiguration process, which involves the transfer of live schools, has the potential to significantly increase patronage diversity in our school system.