Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 25 May 2022
119. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Education if she plans to initiate a programme of transfer of patronage at second level in areas in which there is substantial demand for non-denominational patronage, but no schools are serving that need. [26889/22]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware the Department establishes and supports new schools, including post-primary schools, where a demographic need for a new school has been identified.
Where demographic data indicates that additional provision is required, the delivery of such additional provision is dependent on the particular circumstances of each case and may, depending on the circumstances, be provided through either one, or a combination of, the following:
- Utilising existing unused capacity within a school or schools
- Extending the capacity of a school or schools
- Provision of a new school or schools.
The requirement for additional school places is kept under on-going review and work on an updated exercise to assess needs for the coming years is underway. An Online Patronage Process System (OPPS) has been developed to provide objective information to all parents and guardians which allows them to make an informed choice in expressing a preference for their preferred model of patronage of a new school. The assessment process also includes an analysis of existing provision in the area and the adjacent school planning areas. At present, nationally circa. 50% of post-primary schools have either a multi-denominational or inter-denominational ethos.
It is possible for any school, including a post-primary school, to transfer patronage, if the school patron so wishes. A school patron may engage with another patron, including a multi-denominational patron with a view to transferring patronage of its school, and may write to the Minister for Education to request a transfer of patronage under Section 8 of the Education Act 1998 of a school under its patronage.
School communities who wish to explore the potential to transfer patronage should contact their school patron in the first instance.
