merrion street

The Minister for Education and Skills, Jan O’Sullivan, T.D., has today invited school patron bodies/prospective school patron bodies to apply for the patronage of nine new post-primary schools due to be established in September 2017 & 2018.
Today’s invitation follows on from the Minister’s November 2015 announcement of a major programme of capital investment in schools which includes the establishment of these nine new post-primary schools in order to meet increasing demographic demand.
Six of the schools are due to open in September 2017 and will serve the following school planning areas:
· Carpenterstown and Castleknock, Dublin 15
· Limerick City & Environs (South-West)
· Lucan, Co. Dublin
· Malahide and Portmarnock, Co. Dublin
· Portlaoise, Co. Laois
· Swords, Co. Dublin
The remaining three schools are due to open in September 2018 and will serve the following school planning areas:
· Limerick City & Environs (East)
· Dublin South City Centre (Dublin 2,4,6 and 8)
· Firhouse, Dublin 24
Inviting applications from interested patrons/prospective patrons today, Minister O’Sullivan said “parental demand is one of the key considerations in deciding on the patronage of these nine new post-primary schools.”
The schools will be established in line with the requirements and criteria for the patronage of new schools. These requirements and criteria are published on the Department’s website and will also be provided to prospective applicants. Applicants must confirm they will comply with each of the requirements and criteria in order for their application to be processed.
Arrangements for Patronage in the Establishment of New Post Primary Schools - September 2017 & 2018

ENDS
Notes for Editors
Details of new schools to be opened in September 2017 & September 2018
Ø Carpenterstown and Castleknock, Dublin 15 - 2017
Ø Limerick City & Environs (South-West) - 2017
Ø Lucan, Co. Dublin - 2017
Ø Malahide and Portmarnock, Co. Dublin - 2017
Ø Portlaoise, Co. Laois - 2017
Ø Swords, Co. Dublin - 2017
Ø Limerick City & Environs (East) - 2018
Ø Dublin South City Centre - 2018
Ø Firhouse, Dublin 24 - 2018
New Schools Establishment Group
The patronage 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 to be 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 patrons/prospective patron bodies of the details of the 2017 and 2018 schools requiring a patronage process and outline the mandatory requirements and criteria involved in the process. The patrons/prospective patron bodies may 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.