Schools Designation

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 February 2015

Tuesday, 10 February 2015

Questions (532)

Jonathan O'Brien

Question:

532. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills if her attention has been drawn to the fact that a number of schools (details supplied) in Dublin 10 have been provided with pre-approval to change their status, so that they can accept boys for admission after first class; if she approved this change; if her further attention has been drawn to the fact that a survey carried out in all the schools returned findings of 74% of parents who were against the introduction of co-education; if her attention was drawn to this when she approved this change; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5928/15]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

I wish to advise the Deputy that, to date, my Department has not received an application from the Patron to change the status of the schools concerned. Consequently, approval to change the schools' status has not been given by my Department. I understand that the Patron's office wrote to the Boards of Management of the four schools concerned last December indicating that the proposal to re-organise the schools from September 2015 will not be progressed. I understand also that the Patron indicated to the Boards that the three schools on the same campus may apply to the Patron for a change of status for September 2015 and that any change would be introduced on a phased basis. The Patron's office also advised that no change would be made to the school which is located on another site for the next three years and that the pupil enrolment at that school is to be kept under review during this period.