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Minister McHugh announces patronage of six new post-primary schools to be established in 2020
The Minister for Education and Skills Joe McHugh T.D. today announced the patronage of the six new post-primary schools to be established in 2020.
In all cases, the Minister accepted the recommendations of the New Schools Establishment Group (NSEG).
Today’s announcement forms an essential part of plans to ensure that sufficient new school places are available to cater for the growing numbers of pupils at post-primary level over the coming years.
The new post-primary schools being established in September 2020 were announced last year as part of the Government’s commitment to invest heavily in education with 44 new schools to be established between 2019 and 2022 to cater for demographic growth.
The Minister said:
Parental preference is a key determinant in deciding the patronage of new schools and I’m pleased to say that the views of parents as expressed through the process are reflected in the decisions made on the patronage of these six new schools.
The six new post-primary schools to be established in 2020 will provide significant additional places in the areas they will serve and between them will have capacity to cater for 5,000 post-primary students when fully developed.
Area | School Planning Area | Patronage Awarded | Language of Instruction | School Size* |
Dublin 15 | Blanchardstown_West D15 & BlanchardstownVge_D15 | Dublin and Dún Laoghaire Education and Training Board (DDLETB) | English | 800 |
Citywest/ Saggart | Tallaght & Newcastle_Rathcoole | Dublin and Dún Laoghaire Education and Training Board (DDLETB) | English | 1,000 |
Harold’s Cross | Dublin6_Clonskeagh & Dublin_6W | Educate Together | English | 1,000 |
Goatstown | Goatstown_Stillorgan_DLR | Educate Together | English | 800 |
Enfield | Kilcock School Planning Area | Louth and Meath Education and Training Board (LMETB) | English | 500 |
Wicklow | Kilcoole & Greystones | Kildare and Wicklow Education and Training Board (KWETB) | English | 800 |
*based on current projected need but will be responsive to patronage or demographic demand
The online parental preference processes indicated a minority preference for Irish as the preferred language of instruction. Having regard to the level of preferences for Irish-medium, particularly in the Dublin 6/6W area survey, the Department will engage with patrons of existing Irish-medium gaelcholáistí and the new schools to ensure that this demand is addressed.
The Minister expressed his gratitude to the members of the New Schools Establishment Group for their valuable input to the process which has ensured an objective and transparent process.