Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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188. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of negotiations between City of Dublin Education and Training Board and Educate Together in respect of the delivery of a multidenominational co-educational second-level school for the Dublin 7 area to be based at a college (details supplied); if he has been approached in respect of the collaboration; his views on same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30211/19]

Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, the Cabra_Phibsboro_Dublin 7 school planning area is currently served by eight post-primary schools, including the school referred to by the Deputy which is currently under the patronage of City of Dublin Education and Training Board (CDETB).

This school, which has a current enrolment of some 120 pupils in the 2018/19 school year, is co-educational and multi-denominational in nature and provides for the local community and could potentially bring additional capacity of this nature to the area.

I understand that CDETB and Educate Together have started discussions in relation to possible partnerships with a view to Educate Together involvement at second level in existing schools in both the Dublin 7 and Dublin 12 areas. I am supportive of this initiative which has the potential to add to and enhance the availability of additional choice in these areas and my Department is engaging with the bodies concerned in this regard. This represents an opportunity to increase diversity of provision in existing schools in areas where a new school is not required.

I can confirm that CDETB and Educate Together have been working together in relation to extending the co-educational and multi-denominational educational provision at the school referred to by the Deputy in a partnership patronage arrangement. I understand that significant progress has been made in this regard and work is planned to continue over the summer period.