Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 October 2018
268. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which patronage issues affecting various schools throughout County Kildare have progressed in accordance with plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42500/18]
View answer269. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the degree to which patronage of various schools throughout the country has been resolved in line with expectations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42501/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 268 and 269 together.
Regarding the Schools Reconfiguration for Diversity process, as the Deputy will be aware, I developed this new process, in order to provide more multi-/non-denominational schools across the country, in line with the choices of families and school communities and the Programme for Government commitment for 400 such schools by 2030.
There are two Phases to the new process – the Identification Phase and the Implementation Phase.
The Identification Phase is currently underway in 16 areas nationwide. Each of the 16 Education and Training Boards (ETBs) has selected an initial pilot area within its functional area, in which it considers, based on census data and local knowledge, that there exists a demand for more diversity in educational provision. Surveys of parents of pre-school children have been carried out in these areas by the relevant City/County Childcare Committee on behalf of the ETBs. ETBs, having analysed the survey results, draw up comprehensive reports on the position in relation to each of the 16 pilot areas. This forms the basis of discussions with the most prevalent patron/landowner in the area (the Catholic Bishop in most cases) concerning the transfer of patronage of an existing school(s) to meet that demand. The response by the landowner/patron to any identified demand for greater diversity is included in the report prepared by the ETB for submission to my Department, which will subsequently publish the reports.
Following the publication of the first round of reports, the Schools Reconfiguration process will move into the Implementation Phase. This Phase involves consultation with local school communities on accommodating demand for diversity by transferring patronage of an existing school to a new multi-/non-denominational patron. Draft protocols for the Implementation Phase are at an advanced stage of development and consultation with Catholic Church representatives is ongoing.
In relation to Kildare specifically, a town/area in County Kildare has not been identified for survey as Kildare and Wicklow Education and Training Board has chosen to survey Bray in Co. Wicklow as part of this initial roll-out. A second round of town selections and surveys of pre-school parents will be organised by ETBs when the outcomes of the initial round of pilot surveys have been assessed and any necessary adjustments made in the Schools Reconfiguration process.
I believe that this new Schools Reconfiguration process, which involves the transfer of live schools, has the potential to significantly increase patronage diversity in our school system.
