merrion street

The Minister for Education and Skills, Richard Bruton T.D. today announced the opening, from September 2016, of a new primary school 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. The aim of the surveys was to establish the level of parental demand for a wider choice in the patronage of primary schools within these areas of stable population.

Following agreement with the Archdiocese of Dublin, the new school will open in September 2016 in permanent accommodation in the former St. Peters Boys’ National School, Limekiln Road, Greenhills, Dublin.

The Minister said: "I am delighted to announce the opening, from September 2016, of a new primary school under the patronage of Educate Together in Greenhills, Dublin."

"We are determined to provide more choice for parents and to make it easier for parents to enrol their children in multidenominational schools, where they wish to do so."

"That is why the Programme for Government commits to reaching 400 non-denominational and multidenominational schools by 2030. That is a highly ambitious target, and represents more than a trebling of the current rate of transfer of Catholic schools to multidenominational patrons."

"We will continue to work with all stakeholders to facilitate the divesting process and strengthen parental choice and diversity within our school system”.

Notes for Editors
· The Government is committed to progressing the development of a dynamic and innovative education system that reflects the diversity of 21st century Ireland. The Programme for a Partnership Government reflects the Government's objective of strengthening parental choice and further expanding diversity in our school system, specifically by increasing the number of non-denominational and multi-denominational schools with a view to reaching 400 by 2030.

· In addition to the phased transfer of Catholic schools to new patrons, which is already under way, this will require considering new ideas and new approaches to substantially accelerate the changes in school provision in order to achieve greater diversity. The Government is committed to working with all stakeholders to facilitate this process and the Minister for Education will be progressing these matters as a priority.