Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 April 2018
154. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Education and Skills if an Educate Together school will be built in Whitehall, Dublin 9 (details supplied); if so, the timeframe for the building of the school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17244/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, on the 30th January, 2017, I announced new plans aimed at providing more multi-denominational and non-denominational schools across the country, in line with the choices of parents, families and school communities and the Programme for Government commitment in this area.
The Schools Reconfiguration for Diversity process will support transfers of schools to multi-denominational patrons in response to the wishes of local families is based around principles of transparency and cooperation.
I would point out that the previous model of divestment yielded only a very limited number of schools for transfer to multi-denominational patrons (10 since 2013). The divestment model does not involve building new schools and requires the availability of school premises vacated, for example, due to amalgamation or closure.
I believe that the new schools reconfiguration for diversity process, which will involve the transfer of live schools, has the potential to significantly increase patron diversity in our school system with a target of reaching 400 multi-denominational and non-denominational schools by 2030. While these new arrangements are being introduced, my Department will continue to work with the main stakeholders to progress delivery of diversity in the areas already identified, of which Whitehall is one.
