Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 November 2009
312 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Education and Science the outcome of his talks with the bishops of the Roman Catholic Church concerning the transferring of Catholic schools to alternative patronage models; if he has received an indication of the schools which would be likely to be transferred; if a national forum on patronage would be a useful step forward in this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42073/09]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn recent talks between my Department and the Bishops of the Roman Catholic Church there was a wide-ranging and constructive discussion about the different issues that may arise in planning for the future development of provision for primary education.
The Catholic School Patrons and my Department agreed that it was essential to engage in planning for change in a way that takes account of demographics, settlement patterns and a diversity of provision to accommodate parental choice. In the context of increasing diversity of provision, it was agreed that the next step would be for my Department to use its databases and other information to identify some locations where an implementation framework could be developed in consultation with all stakeholders.
While I would not rule out the possibility of holding a further forum on school patronage in the future, I believe that considerable further thought must be given to the timing and format of such an event. There will be ongoing contact between my Department and the Catholic School Patrons to progress this work.
