Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 July 2013
238. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Education and Skills if, in the context of the move to bring plurality to educational patronage, parents seeking a school in the Steiner model will be accommodated in County Galway and elsewhere in the west. [33486/13]
View answerIn June 2011, I announced that 20 new primary schools are to be established up to 2017 across a number of locations. I also put in place revised procedures and criteria for the establishment of new schools which provide a balanced approach to allow for applications to be made by all prospective patrons. Full details are available on my Department's website. Applications for patronage of the new primary schools to be established in 2014 were recently sought by my Department. The closing date for receipt of applications was Friday 14 June 2013. An application has been received from the patron referred to by the Deputy for the Galway Knocknacarra area. The application assessment process is underway. As part of this process, my Department will prepare a report for consideration by the New Schools Establishment Group who will submit a report to me for final consideration and decision in due course.
