25 new schools planned

Multi-denominational group Educate Together has submitted plans to open new schools in 20 areas next year.

If such applications are successful, Educate Together says it will only proceed to open schools if the Department of Education provides a reasonable level of funding.

It is also seeking a "realistic and credible guarantee" that permanent buildings are being provided for the proposed school.

The areas for which Educate Together has submitted "notification of intent" forms are:

Athlone, Co Westmeath

Belmayne, Dublin 13

Carlow town

Carrigaline, Co Cork

Doughiska, Co Galway

Drogheda North, Co Louth

East Carpenterstown/ Luttrellstown/

Porterstown, Dublin 15

Enniscorthy, Co Wexford

Greystones, Co Wicklow

Kilcolgan-Clarinbridge, Co Galway

Lucan East, south Co Dublin

Maynooth, Co Kildare

Midleton, Co Cork

Naas, Co Kildare

Phibblestown, Dublin 15

Phoenix Park, Dublin 15

Rochestown, Co Cork

Skerries, Co Fingal

Swords, Co Fingal

Wexford town

Meanwhile, the Minister for Education and Science, Mary Hanafin, told the Dáil yesterday that five new Islamic schools are at the planning stage.