I propose to take Questions Nos. 149 and 181 together.
In June of last year I announced that up to 40 new schools are to be established within the next six years to provide sufficient school capacity to meet our increased demographics. These consisted of twenty new primary schools and twenty new post-primary schools. This announcement did not include a proposal to establish a new primary school in the areas referred to by the Deputies.
On foot of recommendations in the Report of the Advisory Group to the Forum on Patronage and Pluralism in the Primary Sector, I recently announced an Action Plan to progress divesting Catholic schools in certain areas.
Surveying will be carried out in five pilot areas initially in October this year and surveys in the balance of the forty four areas will take place in November. The 44 initial areas where surveys of parental preferences will be carried out include the Dublin 6 and 8 districts.
The outcome of the initial surveys will then be made available to the relevant school patrons who will be asked to come forward with divesting options in line with parental preferences within the areas. Full details of the Action Plan are available on my Department's website www.education.ie.