Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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118. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to provide for more diversity of choice for parents of primary school children in an area (details supplied); if divestment or other proposals are under consideration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17877/19]

Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, the Programme for Government includes a commitment of reaching 400 multi-/non-denominational schools in Ireland by the year 2030. The Schools Reconfiguration for Diversity Process is aimed at assisting in achieving this target by transferring existing schools from denominational to multi-/non-denominational patronage in line with the wishes of the school community. The first Identification Phase of the phase 1 pilot process is nearing completion for 16 initial areas nationwide, which in the case of Tipperary ETB includes a report on the Roscrea area. It is envisaged that these reports will be published on my Department's website www.education.ie in the first half of this year.

The Newport/Birdhill/Ballina is does not form part of the 16 areas selected by ETBs for the initial roll-out of this process.  However, separately to the main Schools Reconfiguration for Diversity Process, school communities can directly engage with their school patron regarding transfer of patronage to a multi-denominational patron.  For example, the ‘early movers’ provision fast-tracks patronage reassignment.  The first 'early mover' reconfiguration has successfully taken place, with Two-Mile Community National School in Kerry opening in September 2017. 

Any school which is seeking a transfer of patronage under the 'early movers' provision should contact their school patron directly.