The Minister for Education and Skills, Ruairí Quinn T.D., has announced that four primary schools are expected to open this September under the patronage of Educate Together. This development is part of the process of primary school divestment and follows surveys of parents on patronage choice in some 43 towns.
New schools are intended to open in Tramore, Co. Waterford, Trim, Co. Meath, and Malahide, Co. Dublin in September 2014. In Ballina, Co Mayo, Minister Quinn has confirmed that the transfer of a Church of Ireland school (Newtownwhite N.S., Ballysokerry) to Educate Together patronage is also under discussion. This follows the agreement of the Church of Ireland Bishop and local parents to a change of patronage.
In addition, Minister Quinn confirmed that the former Scoil San Seamus school building in Basin Lane, Dublin 8 will be in use from September by an Educate Together school which opened in temporary accommodation last September.
Minister Quinn welcomed the progress made to date in discussions with patrons following the divesting surveys. While permanent buildings are not yet available for the schools in three areas, Trim, Tramore and Malahide, he has given the go-ahead for the schools in temporary start-up accommodation in order to meet parental demand for greater choice of primary schools.
“Discussions are continuing to take place with the main Catholic patrons in these and in a number of other areas to identify and secure permanent accommodation. The engagement with patrons so far has been open and generous. I am sure that with the co-operation of all concerned and with the support of my Department, further progress can be achieved,” said Minister Quinn.
The three locations, Trim, Tramore and Malahide, were selected following discussions with the existing Catholic patrons on the potential for permanent accommodation options and discussions with Educate Together on their priorities for initial start-up areas.
“I am conscious of the lead in period necessary for establishing a new school: the advertising of the school, the enrolment process, appointment of the Principal, obtaining planning permission where required and other matters. The Department is working closely with Educate Together to secure temporary accommodation to allow it to open new schools serving new communities in September.”
The process of divestment of primary schools is part of the implementation of recommendations from the 2012 report of the Advisory Group to the Forum on Patronage and Pluralism in the Primary Sector.
Its chairperson, Professor John Coolahan, welcomed today’s announcement.
“Against the background of the discussions and agreement on the divesting of school patronage at the Forum, the Minister’s announcement is to be warmly welcomed as tangible progress,” he said.
“However, it is to be hoped that patrons and school communities will accelerate the divesting process so as to facilitate the provision of schooling for their fellow citizens of other belief systems. While the issues surrounding divesting are sensitive and complex, the outcomes can be a significant contribution to civic well-being and the fostering of mutual respect, as well as a meaningful response to fulfilling the rights of all citizens.”
Discussions are continuing on further new primary schools that are expected to open under the divestment process by 2015.
Minister Quinn concluded saying, “Today’s announcement is an initial but important step in giving parents confidence that we are serious about providing a plurality of education and a real choice for them in the type of primary school in their localities”.
ENDS
Notes for Editors
• On foot of the report of the Advisory Group to the Forum on Patronage and Pluralism in the Primary Sector, surveys of parental preferences were undertaken in a number of areas of stable population to establish the level of parental demand for a wider choice in the patronage of primary schools within these areas.
• Surveys of parental preferences were undertaken on a pilot basis initially in five areas in the Autumn of 2012 and the Department published a report on these in December 2012. Surveys were undertaken in a further 38 areas in January and February 2013. A detailed report on these was published in April of that year.
• Analysis of the parental preferences expressed in each of the 43 areas surveyed indicated that there is sufficient parental demand supporting immediate changes in school patronage in 28 areas.
• Following on from publication of the reports, the main patron (Catholic Bishop or Archbishop) in each of these 28 areas was asked to consider re-configuration options that would free up school accommodation for at least one full stream for provision by the first choice alternative Patron.
• Final reports on the options available were submitted by the existing Patrons toward the end of last year. This enabled a targeted focus on areas where there were real possibilities for 2014 and 2015.
· In the case of Malahide, based on a previous review of future school needs in the Waterside/Drinan area, allied with the outcome of the divesting survey in Malahide, it has been agreed with the New Schools Establishment Group that a new school will be established in this area under the patronage of Educate Together. The school will start in temporary accommodation provided by Holywell ET this September. Short term and longer term accommodation options for the new schools in Trim and Tramore are also being advanced.
· The Department will continue to work intensively with the main Catholic Patrons in the other areas to advance alternative Patron choices in those areas.