Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 October 2015
152. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Education and Skills her views on the lack of diversity of school patronage in areas of high multicultural populations, such as west Dublin at both primary and secondary levels; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33976/15]
View answerThe Programme for Government gives a commitment to move towards a more pluralist system of patronage for our schools. Much work has taken place in this regard, including that arising from the Forum on Patronage and Pluralism in the Primary Sector.
Nationwide progress is being made under the patronage divesting process and also arising from the new arrangements on the establishment of new schools, which place a strong emphasis on parental choice.
In the Dublin West area, 9 new primary schools have opened in the last 10 years. Of those 4 are Educate Together National Schools, 2 are Community National Schools (under ETB patronage), 2 are Catholic National Schools under the patronage of the Archbishop of Dublin, and 1 is a Gaelscoil under the patronage of An Foras Pátrúnachta.
At post-primary level, 4 new schools have opened in the Dublin West area in that period. 2 are under ETB patronage, 1 is under Catholic patronage and 1 is under the patronage of Educate Together.
