Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 November 2023
271. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Education if there are plans for primary schools in the Ballyfermot area identified as having potential demand for a transfer or divestment of school patronage; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52211/23]
View answerThe wider Palmerstown/Ballyfermot/Chapelizod/Cherryorchard area was one of 43 areas surveyed as part of the patronage divesting process in 2013. Analysis of the parental preferences expressed in each area surveyed indicated that there was sufficient parental demand to support changes in school patronage in 28 areas, including in this area. To date, it has not been possible to secure a school property to facilitate a new school being established under the patronage divesting process in this area.
The Schools Reconfiguration for diversity process, supporting transfers of schools to multi-denominational patrons in response to the wishes of local communities, has been developed in order to accelerate the delivery of multi-denominational schools. When a school transfers from the patronage of one patron to another, the school remains open with the same roll number and operating from the same school property. All State-funded primary schools follow a common national curriculum and are subject to the same Department rules and regulations.
In March 2022 I announced that arrangements were being put in place in a number of towns and areas of cities that had no multi-denominational primary schools to identify potential schools and to engage with school authorities, school staff and the school communities with a view to agreeing on a transfer of patronage and change of ethos, where there was sufficient demand for this.
The engagement at local level across the pilot areas was largely concluded at the end of Q1 2023. Two schools, Cornamaddy National School in Athlone and St. Enda’s Primary School in Whitefriar Street, Dublin 8, have transferred from Catholic patronage to the local Education and Training Board, becoming multi-denominational community national schools. The Department is hopeful that there will be a number of other transfers of patronage and change of ethos to multi-denominational in the short term.
Following consultation with relevant stakeholders, it is intended that a review of the 2022/23 structured engagement process in the pilot areas will be finalised and published in early Q1 2024. It is envisaged that it will include a framework for delivering on the Government commitment for increasing multi-denominational provision.
A significant amount of work has been done by the Department on the scope, logistics and practical arrangements for a potential survey of primary schools in relation to reconfiguration and details will be announced in due course.
The goal remains to establish a strong process, that has the support of patrons and local communities, and which will enable us to continue to increase the number of multi-denominational primary schools across the country.
