Micheál Martin
Question:210. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on the forum on patronage and pluralism in the primary sector as outlined in the programme for Government. [44102/13]
View answerTuesday, 26 November 2013
Questions (210)
Written answers
As the Deputy will be aware, I published the Report of the Advisory Group to the Forum on Patronage and Pluralism in the Primary Sector in April 2012 and I outlined my Action Plan in response to the Report in June 2012. My Department is implementing that Action Plan and progress is being made in a number of areas, including divesting of patronage in areas of stable population, inclusiveness in primary education, Education about Religion and Beliefs and Ethics and the provision of Irish medium schools.
Surveys of parental preferences regarding patronage were conducted in over 40 areas in the country. The Catholic Patrons in 28 areas where parental demand for change was confirmed through parental survey outcomes have been contacted and asked to consider options for reconfiguring their schools to allow the transfer of a school to a new patron. I launched a public consultation on inclusiveness in primary schools in September. The consultation period ended last Friday, 22 November, and approximately 350 submissions have been received. The submissions, together with the Forum Report findings and recommendations in this area, will be considered in the preparation of a White Paper which will chart the way forward.
I have asked the NCCA to develop a programme on Education about Religion and Beliefs and Ethics. The inclusive processes of the NCCA will allow an opportunity for all interested parties, including faith and non-faith interests to have their views taken into account inn the development of such programmes. The Forum Advisory Group made a number of recommendations concerning the provision of Irish medium schools and analysis has begun of the start-up and growth of Irish medium schools as proposed by the Advisory Group. This analysis will inform future policy development in this area.