merrion street

The Minister for Education and Skills, Jan O’Sullivan, has today invited school patron bodies/prospective school patron bodies to apply for the patronage of three new primary schools due to be established in September 2016.

Today’s invitation follows on from the Minister’s announcement in 2015 when she indicated the necessity to open seven new primary schools in 2015 and 2016 in order to meet demographic demand. Of the seven new schools, four opened in September 2015 in Carrigtwohill, Co. Cork; Pelletstown, Co. Dublin; Greystones, Co. Wicklow; and the Knocknacarra area of Galway City West.

The remaining three schools are due to open in September 2016 and will serve the following school planning areas:
· Goatstown/Stillorgan,
· Cabra/Phibsborough/Dublin 7
· Drumcondra/Marino/Dublin 1

Inviting applications from interested patrons today, Minister O’Sullivan said, “Parental demand is one of the key considerations in deciding on the patronage of these three new primary schools.”

The schools will be established in line with the requirements and criteria originally published on the Department’s website. Applicants must confirm they will comply with each of the requirements and criteria in order for their application to be processed. See details here - http://www.education.ie/en/Schools-Colleges/Information/Establishing-a-New-School/New-Primary-Schools/Arrangements-for-patronage-in-the-establishment-of-new-primary-schools-due-to-open-in-September-2016.pdf

Notes for Editors

Details of new schools to be opened in September 2016

Ø Goatstown/Stillorgan
Ø Cabra/Phibsborough/Dublin 7
Ø Drumcondra/Marino/Dublin 1

New Schools Establishment Group

The patronage determination process for new schools is overseen by the New Schools Establishment Group (NSEG).

This Group was set up in 2011 to advise the Minister on the patronage of new schools following its consideration of a report prepared by the Department on the applications received.

The Group is chaired by Dr. Seamus McGuinness (retired senior lecturer in the Education Department at Trinity College Dublin) and also includes Ms. Sylda Langford (retired Director of the Office of the Minister for Children) and Prof. Seán Ó Riain (Sociology Department, NUI Maynooth).

Next steps

The Department will shortly inform patron bodies of the details of the 2016 schools requiring a patronage process and outline the mandatory requirements and criteria involved in the process. The patron/prospective patron bodies can then make applications for consideration. Department officials will draft a report based on the applications received for the consideration of the New Schools Establishment Group and the NSEG will submit a report with recommendations for consideration by the Minister.