Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 June 2016
20. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will facilitate the establishment of a gaelcholáiste with a multi-denominational and inclusive ethos and with a catchment area covering west County Dublin and east County Meath, and if he will meet with the Coiste Bunaithe of a school (details supplied) to discuss the matter. [18285/16]
View answerThe decision on when a new school is warranted in a School Planning area is based on objective demographic analysis and where a school is warranted, the selection of a patron is an independent process which places a particular emphasis on parental preferences.
My Department is focused on ensuring that all schools in an area can between them cater for all students seeking a school place. To this end, my Department uses a Geographical Information System to identify the areas under increased demographic pressure nationwide. The system uses a range of data sources in carrying out nationwide demographic exercises to determine where additional school accommodation is needed at primary and post-primary level.
On foot of the latest demographic exercises, four new primary schools and nine new post-primary schools were announced to open in 2017 and 2018 to cater for increased demographic needs. This includes a new post-primary school which will open in 2017 to serve the Carpenterstown/Castleknock, Dublin 15 area, which will provide an additional 1,000 pupil places, supplementing provision in the wider area. Prospective school patrons were invited to apply for the patronage of each of the nine new post-primary schools, including the school to serve the Carpenterstown/Castleknock, Dublin 15 area, with a closing date of 8th June last.
The criteria used in relation to patronage of new schools places particular emphasis on parental demand for plurality and diversity, with parental preferences at the centre of the process. Prospective patrons must submit with their application a parental preference template in which parents have been requested to declare their preference for their child(ren) to be educated through that patron's school model and also their preference with regard to education through the medium of English or Irish.
My Department is currently in the process of assessing the applications received as part of the patronage process for the nine new post-primary schools. Following completion of this analysis, my Department will prepare detailed assessment reports in relation to each of these new schools based on the applications received, for the consideration of the New Schools Establishment Group (NSEG), which will then submit a report with recommendations to me for consideration and final decision.
The group referred to by the Deputy has had a number of meetings with my Department concerning different proposals for the provision of Irish-medium education at second level to serve the Dublin West/East Meath area. My Department has indicated that the issues raised by the group will be examined in the context of the assessment of parental demand for Irish-medium education emerging from the current patronage process, together with analysis of potential demand in the broader area. Detailed information on the post-primary patronage process is available on my Department's website.
