66.—(1) The Minister may, from time to time, subject to subsection (2), and following consultation with the patron or patrons and the boards of the schools concerned, direct 2 or more boards to co-operate with each other in relation to the admission processes of the schools concerned.

(2) The Minister may make a direction under this section where—

(a) a school is due to close, and the Minister considers that it is in the best interests of the students attending the school, or

(b) the Minister considers, having regard to the effective and efficient use of resources, that it is in the best interests of the students in an area that the boards in respect of which the direction is to apply shall co-operate with each other in relation to the admission processes of the schools concerned.

(3) A direction under this section—

(a) shall be in writing,

(b) shall be for such period as the Minister, following consultation with the patron or patrons and the boards of the schools concerned, determines, and

(c) may set out procedures in relation to co-operation by the boards in respect of the admission processes of the schools concerned.

(4) The Minister, where he or she considers it appropriate to do so, following consultation with the patron or patrons and the boards of the schools concerned, may—

(a) amend a direction under this section,

(b) extend the period of a direction under this section, or

(c) cancel a direction under this section.

(5) A board shall comply with a direction under this section.

(6) (a) A board may, in order to facilitate the efficient admission of students, provide a patron or another board with a list of the students in relation to whom—

(i) an application for admission to the school concerned has been received,

(ii) an offer of admission to the school concerned has been made, or

(iii) an offer of admission to the school concerned has been accepted.

(b) A list provided by the board under paragraph (a) may include all or any of the following details:

(i) the date on which an application for admission was received by the school;

(ii) the date on which an offer of admission was made by the school;

(iii) the date on which an offer of admission was accepted by an applicant;

(iv) a student’s personal details including his or her name, address, date of birth and personal public service number (within the meaning of section 262 of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005).]