Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 February 2014
115. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will report on the progress of establishing a primary level school in Galway city in the format of the Steiner model of education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9087/14]
View answerLast year a patronage determination process, overseen by the New Schools Establishment Group, was run to establish who would operate a new 16-classroom school for the Knocknacarra area of Galway City. Two applicants, namely Educate Together and Lifeways Ireland, which provides the Steiner model, demonstrated strong and similar levels of parental demand for their models. The level of parental demand, however, for an Educate Together school was stronger.
Given all of the circumstances, I decided to award Patronage of a new 8-classroom school to Educate Together to commence operation in 2014. I also decided to give consideration to the establishment of a further 8-classroom school in 2015 under the patronage of Lifeways Ireland. This will be subject to confirmation that parental demand will support this model and size of school at that time. My Department will be in contact with Lifeways Ireland at the appropriate time to progress this matter.
