Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 July 2017
221. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the 16 areas still waiting for the implementation of the 2012 reconfiguration plan in respect of school patronage; if his attention has been drawn to the concerns of parents in the areas affected regarding implementation of the remainder of the 2012 reconfiguration plan; the changes to this which are planned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32377/17]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, following discussions on patronage divesting with education stakeholders and patron bodies in 2016, on the 30th January, 2017, I announced new plans aimed at providing more multi-denominational and non-denominational schools across the country, in line with the choices of parents, families and school communities and the Programme for Government commitment in this area.
I would point out that the previous model of divestment yielded only a very limited number of schools for transfer to multi-denominational patrons (10 since 2013). I believe that the new schools reconfiguration for diversity process has the potential to significantly increase patron diversity in our school system with a target of reaching 400 multi-denominational and non-denominational schools by 2030.
While these new structures are being introduced, my Department will continue to work with the main stakeholders to progress delivery of diversity in areas already identified, in 2017 and beyond.
