The Minister for Education and Science, Batt O'Keeffe TD is to establish a Technical Working Group to undertake a full review of the criteria and procedures for the recognition of new primary schools writes Mary O'Keeffe.

The move comes in a bid to ensure that the policies and procedures for establishing new schools are brought fully up to date and that they will be appropriate for the significant increase in the number of primary school pupils which is expected over the next five to 10 years.

Announcing details of the process, the Minister said, "I want to highlight the valuable contribution by the New Schools Advisory Committee (NSAC) whose term of office expired last month. NSAC has provided valuable advice to Education Ministers on the establishment of new schools since 2002. However, NSAC's terms of reference were originally drafted in 1998 and these now need to be overhauled and updated to reflect the current demographics and the increased population of a changing Ireland."

The Minister said he is firmly committed to ensuring that there is a transparent and robust system for recognising new primary schools that will be appropriate for the changing circumstances of the country.

"I intend to consult widely with patron bodies, the other education partners and other interested parties as part of the review of NSAC. Many issues will have to be addressed including both policy matters and practical issues raised by NSAC during the course of its work.

"Issues such as the minimum number of pupils required for the commencement of new schools, as well as a wide range of broad policy issues on school patronage and the approach to diversity of provision, need to be carefully considered. I intend to put in place any necessary statutory regulations to underpin the new arrangements for recognition of new primary schools," he said.

The Minister said that it is expected that it may take up to two years to have the revised arrangements in place. In the interim, he said, it is not planned to recognise any new primary schools except those in developing areas where there is a clear need demonstrated for such schools.

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