Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 March 2007
767 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Science if the VEC is to be the patron of a primary school in Dublin 15; if so, the location of the school and the date of opening; the location where this proposal originated; her views on same; if she will intervene to maintain this school for the local community; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9486/07]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe existing models of school patronage have served the education sector well over many decades. However, it can happen in a small number of rapidly developing areas that a traditional patron is not readily available. In view of same, I announced on the 17 February 2007, that a new additional model of Primary school patronage would be introduced on a pilot basis at a school to be built in Diswellstown, Co Dublin. The proposed school will be community based and that the administrative framework of the County Dublin Vocational Education Committee would be used for the new model. The Department will begin a process of consultation with the relevant education partners to explore the detailed implementation measures that will be needed to be put in place prior to the opening of the proposed new school. This model will provide an additional patronage option and is not intended to serve as a replacement of the existing patron models.
