School Patronage

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 November 2013

Thursday, 14 November 2013

Questions (69)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

69. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 147 of 2 October 2013, if his Department has instructed all school management bodies and National Parents' Councils - Primary to provide the information leaflet inviting parents to make submissions on patronage and pluralism to all parents of children attending their schools and if he intends to investigate the reason schools and management bodies have not distributed this information. [48666/13]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

As the Deputy is aware, I launched a public consultation on promoting inclusiveness in primary schools in September.

Working in conjunction with the National Parents' Council - Primary, an information leaflet on the consultation, specifically targeted at parents, was distributed to all parents' associations. The associations were asked to use the leaflet as part of their efforts to raise awareness of the consultation and to encourage parents to respond to the call for submissions. The information leaflet was also distributed directly to primary schools for information purposes.

The leaflet was not distributed directly to every parent. Instead, a number of leaflets were sent to each association so that they could utilise their own contacts in informing parents about the consultation process.

The parents' information leaflet and the call for submissions were also publicised on my Department's website - www.education.ie. School management bodies were also informed of the consultation and encouraged to respond.