827. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide an update on the latest discussions between her Department's forward planning section and the Catholic school bodies regarding areas where patronage may be divested to new patrons; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29153/15]

828. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if her Department has identified the next areas that will be discussed with the Catholic management bodies for school patronage divestment in each of the years 2016 to 2019; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29154/15]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 827 and 828 together.

Four new multi-denominational primary schools are expected to open in September 2015 under the patronage divestment process. Three of these schools will operate under the patronage of Educate Together. The fourth school will be a Gaelscoil operating under the patronage of An Foras Patrúnachta. This development will bring to nine the number of new schools opened under the patronage divesting process to date.

My Department will continue to work intensively with the main Catholic Patrons in the other areas to advance alternative Patron choices in those areas for 2016 and beyond.