Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 April 2010
411 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Science if, further to Parliamentary Question No. 957 of 20 April, 2010, she will define the precise areas, including ordnance survey maps, if possible, of the ten locations which are currently being assessed for a transfer of patronage by her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16875/10]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department had discussions on this matter with senior representatives of the Catholic Church. The Catholic School Patrons and my Department agreed that it was essential to engage in planning for change. In order to advance the matter, my Department agreed that it would examine a number of initial locations to see what scope or options might exist for change of patronage in these cases. The particular focus was on identifying a sample number of areas of relatively stable demographics where the establishment of new schools was unlikely to emerge in the foreseeable future and where the provision is exclusively Catholic or where there is very limited diversity of provision at present. The aim is that these areas can then be used to trial the modalities by which the number of Catholic places and schools will be reduced and released for others.
In this context, officials in my Department are currently carrying out an assessment of 10 locations where changes to patronage may be warranted, given changed demographic profiles in recent decades. My Department has not yet completed this assessment. When the assessment is completed it is planned to establish a list of locations where such change may be warranted. The aim is to complete the assessment within the next month with a view to publication of the list. I will ensure that the Deputy is provided with a copy of the list and Geographical Information System (GIS) maps of the areas at that time.
