Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)

Arising from events in Balbriggan in September, I ask the Minister to consider establishing a national forum on education to address the patronage, management and ownership of schools. Given that more than 90% of all schools are owned or controlled by the Catholic Church, does the Minister agree it would be more sensible to establish such a forum to allow the education partners to engage in a public discussion of all the relevant issues? I understand the Minister is involved in bilateral discussions with the education partners concerning a new model she wants to establish. Will she consider establishing a national forum along the lines I suggest as a means of having a public debate of the crucial question of ownership and control of our schools?

I welcome the statement made by the Catholic bishops today regarding the church's ambition to divest itself of some schools in areas in which it controls a large number of schools. Nevertheless, we need a much more thorough and public discussion of the issues, as opposed to a secretive, bilateral discussion between the Department, on the one hand, and the various education partners, on the other.

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