John Paul Phelan
Question:91. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans, if any, to sanction more community national schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53088/12]
View answerWednesday, 28 November 2012
Questions (91)
Written answers
As the Deputy will be aware, in June of last year, I announced that 20 new primary schools would be established up to 2017 to meet increasing demographics. At that time I also announced new arrangements for the recognition and determination of patronage of new primary and post-primary schools. The new arrangements provide a balanced approach to allow applications to be made by prospective patrons for the establishment of schools.
The pilot Community National School model is currently being tested in six primary schools, of which two were established in 2008, three in 2010 and one in 2012.
In March 2012 I announced decisions on the patronage of new primary schools to be established in 2012 and 2013. At that time, I announced that one new community national school would open in 2012. A new community national school, Scoil Niamh, has recently opened in Citywest. I also announced that three of the nine new primary schools to be established in 2013 will be community national schools.
The patronage of new primary schools to be established from 2014 onwards has not yet been decided. It will be open to all Patrons to apply in line with the established process.
Question No. 92 answered with Questions Nos. 88 and 89.