Aodhán Ó Ríordáin
Ceist:57. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education the active measures being taken to phase out single-gender schools at primary level. [40043/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 1 December 2020
Ceisteanna (57)
Freagraí scríofa
As the Deputy is aware generally all new school provision (primary and post-primary) will be mixed gender in nature and patronage decisions will be made on that basis. There may be a small number of instances where single-gender provision will need to be made if there is an identified imbalance between the capacities of single-gender schools. Any such identification would be made in advance of seeking applications from applicant patrons.
In relation to existing schools the decision making authority for a change of status belongs to the Patron and this is subject to the agreement of my Department. Any proposal to change the status of a school must involve consultation with all of the relevant stakeholders, parents, teachers, students and local communities and follow decisions taken at local level.
My Department is happy to engage with any school authority that is considering changing from a single gender school to a mixed gender school.