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Education Minister Ruairi Quinn today announced his decisions on the patronage of new primary schools to be established in 2012 and 2013.

This is the culmination of the process which began in June 2011 when the Minister announced that 20 new primary schools are to be established up to 2015 across a number of locations to cater for increasing pupil numbers.

At that time the Minister also announced new criteria and arrangements for the recognition of the new schools. The arrangements included the establishment of a New Schools Establishment Group, an independent advisory group, to advise the Minister on the patronage of the new schools following its consideration of a report prepared by Department officials. The New Schools Establishment Group reported to the Minister last week.

Minister Quinn said:

The decisions taken by me on patronage of the new schools place a particular emphasis on providing for demonstrated parental demand for plurality and diversity of patronage. These new schools will optimise parental choice and strengthen diversity of provision in the areas in which they are to be established.

Department officials will shortly contact each of the patron bodies in regard to the logistics of the establishment of these new schools.

Seven new primary schools will open in September 2012. Of these, five will be under the patronage of Educate Together (ET), one will be under the patronage of An Foras Pátrúnachta and the seventh will be a Community National School which will be under VEC patronage when enabling legislation is passed.