Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 July 2022
351. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education the way in which a community of parents who wish to alter the existing patron of a local primary school, other than by targeting their local primary school with a campaign to persuade it to change its ethos from Christian to a multi and non-denominational patron in circumstances (details supplied) can do so. [35882/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra352. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education the routes and alternatives available to a community of parents who wish to have their children educated in a multi and non-denominational school excluding boarding school options and unsustainable commuting distances; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35883/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 351 and 352 together.
In relation to changing the patronage of an existing school, the schools reconfiguration process is designed to support the transfer of patronage of live schools (as opposed to closed schools) from denominational to multi-denominational ethos.
As the Deputy may be aware I recently announced that arrangements are being put in place in a number of towns and areas of cities that have no multi-denominational primary schools to identify potential schools and to engage with school authorities, school staff and the school communities with a view to agreeing on a transfer of patronage and change of ethos, where there is sufficient demand for this.
The Council for Education of the Irish Episcopal Conference (representing the Catholic patrons) and relevant Bishops have confirmed their willingness to engage and co-operate fully with the Department in seeking to facilitate a more diverse school patronage in these towns and cities.
The learnings from the process in the pilot areas should provide a pathway forward on the process for providing multi-denominational options for parents in other towns and areas of the country going forward.
Where there is no multi-denominational school in the immediate location, transport supports may be relevant, depending on the circumstances. School Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department. In the 2021/2022 over 121,400 children, including over 15,500 children with special educational needs, are transported in over 6,000 vehicles on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country covering over 100 million kilometres.
Under the terms of the School Transport Scheme primary children are eligible for transport where they reside not less than 3.2 kms from and are attending their nearest national school as determined by the Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language. Children who are eligible for school transport and who have completed the application process on time will be accommodated on school transport services where such services are in operation. Where there is no service available the Remote Area Grant will be offered towards the cost of providing private transport for children in remote areas.
