Schools Administration

Thursday, 5 October 2023

Ceisteanna (253)

Michael Ring

Ceist:

253. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Education the number of schools that applied for co-education in 2022 and in 2023; the number of schools that were successful, providing details of the names of the schools deemed successful and those deemed unsuccessful; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43382/23]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education

As the Deputy is aware, the decision-making authority in respect of the status of existing schools, including whether they are single or mixed gender, belongs to the Patron, subject to the agreement of my Department.

New schools are established by my Department to meet demographic need and, generally, such new school provision (primary and post-primary) is mixed gender in nature. Co-educational schools provide greater flexibility than single sex schools in terms of meeting demographic and school accommodation requirements in an area. Single-gender provision may, however, be made if there is an identified imbalance between the capacities of single-gender schools in the area.

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.

The number of schools that have applied for a change to co-educational status in 2022 and in 2023 is as follows: 17 primary schools and 9 post primary schools.

The attached schools were approved a change in status to co-education in the period 2022 and 2023 with two applications currently under assessment. I can confirm that no school was refused approval to change to co-educational status in the period 2022 to 2023.

PRIMARY SCHOOL APPLICATIONS APPROVED FOR CO-EDUCATIONAL STATUS
Monastery National School	17124M	Drogheda Road, Ardee. Louth	01/09/2022
St. Mary's Convent	16112A	O'Rahilly Street, Nenagh, Co. Tipperary	01/09/2022
St. Mary's Jnr BNS	16344V	St. Flannan Street, Nenagh, Co. Tipperary	01/09/2022
Bunscoil na mBráíthre Críostaí	16727O	Summer Hill, Nenagh, Co. Tipperary	01/09/2022
Scoil Mhuire na Trócaire	18099V	Hale Street, Ardee, Co. Louth	01/09/2022
St. Paul's National School	20219R	Church Street, Waterford	01/09/2022
Scoil na mBrathar Boys Senior School	16695E	North Brunswick Street, Dublin 7	01/09/2022
Stanhope Street Primary School	09932B	Manor Street, Stoneybatter, Dublin 7	01/09/2022
Presentation Primary School	05933G	George's Hill, Halston Street, Dublin 7	01/09/2022
Presentation Primary School	19925K	Parnell Street, Kilkenny	01/09/2023
CBS Primary School	17867M	Stephen Street, Kilkenny	01/09/2023
Scoil Ailbhe, Thurles	17643M	Parnell Street, Thurles, Co. Tipperary	01/09/2023
Scoil Angela, Thurles	18135W	Ursuline Convent, Thurles, Co. Tipperary	01/09/2023
Presentation Primary School	19874T	Cathedral Street, Thurles, Co. Tipperary	01/09/2023
Scoil Naomh Brid	16566Q	Main Street, Celbridge, Co. Kildare.	01/01/2023
St. Patrick's National School	11525A	Millbourne Ave. Drumcondra, Dublin 9	01/09/2024
Corpus Christi , Drumcondra	16860Q	Home Farm Road Drumcondra Dublin 9 , D09k270	01/09/2024