They are slightly different to the 47 areas identified in 2010 by the Department of Education in response to a request for data from the Catholic bishops.
The changes take account of population changes in the 2011 census and more diverse primary school provision having been offered or planned in some areas in the past two years.
A survey of parents of primary pupils and pre-school children will take place in each of the 44 areas in the autumn. They will be asked which type of school patron they would prefer, and if they want their child taught in an English or all-Irish school, in a mostly online survey where they must provide their PPS number for verification.
Education Minister Ruairi Quinn’s announcement of the move was lauded by John Coolahan, chairman of the patronage forum advisory group, as the first initiative by the State to reconfigure the patronage of national schools since the 19th century.
Despite huge social changes in recent decades, more than 95% of the country’s primary schools are denominational, including almost 90% whose patron is a Catholic bishop.
Mr Quinn said it was impossible to be specific on when the first handover might take place, but his department will give survey results to Catholic bishops who are patrons to about 250 schools in the 44 areas by the end of the year.
"At the earliest, we’re going to get an idea next June of what schools could be divested," said Mr Quinn.
Áine Lynch, CEO of the National Parents Council-Primary, said local reputation and location were more important considerations than patronage when parents choose a school. However, when choice, or lack of choice, of patronage was an issue to parents, she said it often caused significant difficulties.
"It is welcome that, for the first time, the preferences of parents will be taken into account, both in areas where there is demographic growth and new schools are needed, and in areas of stable population where the need for diversity will be me."
As the competition to run any schools being handed over kicks off, Educate Together and the body representing vocational education committees said they look forward to offering their models of multidenominational schooling.
The Department of Education will imposes a code of practice on applicant patrons, limiting advertising and spending to ensure parents are given fair and balanced information on their options.
Time line
Divesting Catholic primary schools: What happens when?
* End of this month: In each of the 44 areas, the department will ask patrons to come forward if they are interested in taking over one or more local Catholic schools.
* October: Pilot survey of parental preferences in five of the areas, following local advertising.
* November: Survey results to be published and sent to patrons for consideration of divesting options.
* November: Parents to be surveyed in remaining areas after analysis of the methods in pilot areas.
* End of 2012: Department of Education to send survey results to Catholic patrons in all 44 areas for consideration.
* By June 2013: Catholic bishops in those areas to respond with any schools they say can be divested.