Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 1 March 2017
61. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will report on the process for awarding patronage of new secondary schools in the Dublin 15 area; if the diversity in the population was considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10412/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince 2011 new schools are established in areas to meet demographic growth. My Department uses a Geographical Information System to identify areas under increased demographic pressure nationwide. The system uses data from a range of sources including information from my own Department's databases. With this information, demographic exercises are carried out to determine where additional school accommodation is required.
When it is decided that a new school is required, my Department runs a separate patronage process to decide who will operate the school. The criteria used in relation to patronage of the new school place particular emphasis on parental demand for plurality and diversity of patronage, with parental preferences from the area to be served being central to the process. In this regard, patrons and prospective patrons must collect and demonstrate evidence of parental demand from the area to be served for the model of provision proposed as part of their application under the process.
The assessment stage of the process for the new post-primary school to serve Carpenterstown & Castleknock, Dublin 15 included a review of parental preferences for each patron applicant, together with a comprehensive demographic analysis of the area, a review of the extent of diversity of patronage and provision currently available in the area. Parental preferences are key to decisions regarding patronage of new schools under the patronage assessment process. The model proposed by Edmund Rice Schools Trust (ERST) will extend existing co-educational provision in the area and although will not extend diversity of provision or patronage in the area, comparing the valid parental preferences, there was a clear majority of parental interest favouring ERST.
Once completed, draft assessment reports were forwarded for the consideration of the New Schools Establishment Group (NSEG), which is an external independent advisory group set up to oversee the process. Following their consideration, the NSEG submitted a report with recommendations to me for consideration and final decision. I then announced the successful patron of each school. The full assessment reports including the criteria used in relation to patronage of the new school and the NSEG recommendations are available on my Department's website.
