School Patronage

Wednesday, 9 December 2015

Questions (18)

Mattie McGrath

Question:

18. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the transfer of school patronage and the numbers of schools that have requested a transfer; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43702/15]

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Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The Programme for Government gives a commitment to move towards a more pluralist system of patronage for our schools. In this context, the Government established a Forum on Patronage and Pluralism in the Primary Sector. The Forum advised on how the education system can provide a sufficiently diverse number and range of primary schools catering for all religions and none and on the practicalities of transferring patronage of primary schools where it is appropriate.

Following surveys of parents in 43 areas, there was sufficient parental demand supporting change in 28 of these areas. To date, eight new primary schools have opened under the patronage divesting process.

In order to reinvigorate the patronage divesting process, I recently met with the Catholic Bishops and yesterday met with representatives from Education and Training Boards Ireland (ETBI). I have also arranged to meet with representatives from Educate Together next week. My Department is continuing to work intensively with the main stakeholders to advance alternative choices for 2016 and beyond and to achieve greater diversity of school provision.

Count	Roll No	School Name	Address	Patron	Ethos	Year Opened
1	20430N	Canal Way Educate Together NS	Basin Lane, Dublin 8	Educate Together	Multi denominational	2013
2	20444B	Trim Educate Together NS	Glebe, Kilkalkey Road, Trim, Co Meath	Educate Together	Multi denominational	2014
3	20446F	Tramore Educate Together NS	Pond Road, Tramore, Co. Waterford	Educate Together	Multi denominational	2014
4	20445D	Malahide/Portmarnock Educate Together NS	Malahide Road, Kinsealy, Co. Dublin	Educate Together	Multi denominational	2014
5	09040K	Newtownwhite Educate Together NS*	Newtownwhite, Ballysakerry, Ballina, Co. Mayo	Educate Together	Multi denominational	2014
6	20456I	Tuam Educate Together NS	Dublin Road, Tuam, Co. Galway	Educate Together	Multi denominational	2015
7	20458M	New Ross Educate Together NS	Barret’s Park, New Ross, Co. Wexford	Educate Together	Multi denominational	2015
8	20461B	Gaelscoil na Laochra	Biorra, Co. Uibh Fhailí	An Foras Pátrúnachta	Multi denominational	2015

*This school resulted in the transfer of existing school from the Church of Ireland.