Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 July 2015
829. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of schools that have changed patronage since 2011; the location of these schools; the new patron in each of the new schools; the length of time it took from when a change of patron was first discussed to when the final change over took place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29155/15]
View answerThe Deputy may be aware that actual changes of patronage for existing schools are relatively rare. Under the patronage divestment process, what is more usually involved is the reorganisation of existing schools which can free up provision to facilitate the opening of a new school under alternative patronage, either in an existing or an alternative school premises.
There are two cases of actual changes of patronage for existing schools since 2011. In 2011, with the death of the Earl of Dunraven, patronage of St Nicholas Church of Ireland School, Adare, Co. Limerick passed to the Countess of Dunraven and Mount Earl, Geraldine Dunraven. In 2014, patronage of Newtownwhite National School, in Ballina, Co. Mayo, was divested to "Educate Together" from the Church of Ireland Bishop of Tuam, Killala and Achonry. The divested school is now known as "Newtownwhite Educate Together NS".
Nine schools have opened under the patronage divesting process to date. In 2013, an Educate Together school opened in temporary premises in Dublin 2 and then moved to a former Edmund Rice School building in Basin Lane, Dublin 8 in September 2014.
Also in 2014, four schools commenced operation under the patronage of Educate Together. These schools are located in Trim, Co. Meath, Tramore, Co. Waterford, Malahide/Portmarnock, Co. Dublin and Newtownwhite, County Mayo. The latter resulted from the transfer of patronage from the Church of Ireland, as mentioned above.
Four new multi-denominational primary schools are expected to open in September 2015 under the patronage divestment process. The first three of these schools will operate under the patronage of Educate Together in Tuam, Co. Galway, Castlebar, Co. Mayo and New Ross, Co. Wexford. The fourth school will be a Gaelscoil operating under the patronage of An Foras Patrúnachta and will be located in Birr, Co. Offaly.
This process has been under way since the publication of the "Report on the surveys regarding parental preferences on primary school patronage" in April 2013.
