asked the Minister for Education the number of national schools of which a person recognised by him is patron.
Written Answers. - National School Patrons.
323.
There are 3,402 ordinary national schools and 93 special schools. All of these have recognised patrons as indicated in the reply to Question No. 326.
324.
asked the Minister for Education the number of members of national school management committees appointed by each person who is recognised by him as a patron or joint patron of a national school.
The patron of a national school in which a board of management is established may appoint four members to represent him on the board. In some cases only one board has been established to manage two schools, usually situated in the one complex and sharing common services such as lighting and heating systems. In other cases it is possible that persons appointed by the patron may represent him on more than one board.
To ascertain the actual number of persons appointed as patrons' representatives on boards of management of national schools would demand the expenditure of more time and work than the information would warrant.
325.
asked the Minster for Education the number and identity of persons recognised by him as joint patrons of national schools; and the number of schools which have such joint patrons.
There are no joint patrons recognised for ordinary national schools. In a small number of cases the trustees are the patron, as defined in the Rules for National Schools.
Joint patrons are recognised in the case of nine special schools as follows:
Joint Patrons: A Bishop and a layman, four schools; four Bishops and a group, three schools; four Bishops and a group, one school; two Bishops and a group, one school.
326.
asked the Minister for Education the number and identity of persons recognised by him as patrons of national schools.
The Bishop of the Diocese. Catholic 24, Church of Ireland 12.
Other religious authorities: Presbyterian 6, Methodist 2, Catholic 3, Jewish 1.
Other groups (mainly for special schools) 17. Individual lay people 3. The Minister for Education 14. The Minister for Defence 3.