School Patronage

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 January 2018

Tuesday, 23 January 2018

Ceisteanna (231)

David Cullinane

Ceist:

231. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason for his Department's decision to limit the intake of a school (details supplied) to 13 students per annum; if this decision is in contradiction to his Department's own conclusion regarding the school as outlined in the report on the pilot surveys regarding parental preferences on primary school patronage published in December 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3387/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

As the Deputy may be aware, the report of the Advisory Group to the Forum on Patronage and Pluralism in the Primary Sector recommended that demand for patronage diversity should be met in areas of stable population by divesting patronage of existing schools where there is evidence of parental demand for change.

In 2012/13, my Department undertook surveys of parental preferences in 44 areas of stable population to establish the level of demand for a wider choice in the patronage of primary schools. Sufficient demand emerged in 28 areas, including the area referred to by the Deputy, and intensive consultations followed with the main Catholic patrons in each of these areas to discuss divesting options. 

It is important that school size is monitored and that a balance is preserved among all schools in school planning areas to ensure that one school is not expanding at the expense of another school, particularly in areas of stable population where there is no requirement for additional places.