Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

I propose to answer Questions Nos. 2 and 4 together.

I agree that the issue of patronage and governance of our primary schools is important. In recent times the rapid pace of social and demographic change is reflected in a radically altered and more diverse society from which our school communities are drawn. Irish society will continue to change at pace in the years to come and our education system must therefore continue to adapt and change to reflect this.

Our system of patronage has demonstrated a capacity to facilitate change and evolution. Historically, plurality simply meant schools differentiated by denomination under denominational patronage. In recent decades, the patronage system proved itself able to support the establishment of schools by An Forás Patrúnachta and Educate Together. However, the majority of primary schools are still under Catholic patronage. While recognising the role that Catholic schools have played in welcoming children from diverse backgrounds and the continuing role for Catholic schools, we will need changes to the composition of schooling into the future to meet different needs. In addition significant issues are now emerging about the different definitions and types of diversity that might be recognised and how this can be accommodated while maximising effective use of existing and new infrastructure and education expenditure generally, particularly at a time of scarce resources.

As the Deputies are aware, consideration of many of the relevant issues is under way. My Department organised a major conference on primary school patronage in 2008. The new community national school model is piloting an approach to primary schooling involving multi-faith provision. A review of the procedures for the establishment of new primary schools is being undertaken by the Commission on School Accommodation. Among the issues being considered as part of the review is the issue of patronage including the criteria that must be met to decide on the patronage of a school. The commission is taking account of issues relating to diverse patronage models and the size of schools in its work. The commission has undertaken extensive consultation and involves a wide range of education partners in its membership.

It is already proving possible in developing areas to offer increased diversity as new schools need to be established. However, in areas where the population is not increasing to any great extent, it is more difficult to increase the diversity available.

Regarding such areas, the issue of the Catholic Church divesting itself of certain schools was originally explicitly raised by Archbishop Diarmuid Martin. In discussions on this matter, senior representatives of the Catholic Church and my Department agreed that it was essential to engage in planning for change. In order to advance the matter, my Department agreed that it would examine a number of initial locations to see what scope or options might exist for change of patronage in these cases. The particular focus was on identifying a sample number of areas of relatively stable demographics where the establishment of new schools was unlikely to emerge in the foreseeable future and where the provision is exclusively Catholic or where there is very limited diversity of provision at present. The aim is that these areas can then be used to trial the modalities by which the number of Catholic places and schools will be reduced and released for others.

The production of a potential list of locations by the Department will be, of course, only a first step. The decision on the identity of the particular Catholic school or schools that should close because of a surplus situation must ultimately rest with the patron and the Catholic community in the parish or parishes concerned. This means consultation within the parish or diocese, with the parent body of the schools and with the staff of the schools. Following any such identification by the Catholic community of where provision is to be divested I would envisage that the Department will put in place processes to consult with the local community generally, including prospective patrons, on the future patronage of identified schools. There also would be a range of implementation issues to be addressed.

Officials in my Department are currently carrying out an assessment of ten locations where changes to patronage may be warranted, given changed demographic profiles in recent decades. This assessment involved the initial identification of ten locations and detailed work on these. However, it may be necessary to re-identify some further areas if some of the initial ten locations appear not to be suitable. My Department has not yet completed this assessment. When the assessment is completed it is planned to establish a list of ten locations where such change may be warranted. The aim is to complete the assessment within the next month with a view to providing the list to the Catholic authorities for consideration and making the list available publicly. I would envisage that if the proposed pilots are feasible there would be consultation with the education parties on the steps to implement a transfer of patronage.

I recognise there is a need to continue to seek the input and views of a wide cross-section of contemporary Ireland on the relevant issues. I have outlined the extent to which consultation has been undertaken and the need for further consultation at a local level. I prefer to advance consideration and trialling of the practical issues at this stage so that specific proposals can be developed and issues identified rather than a more general and theoretical discussion at this point. I am committed to further consultation with the education partners and with the wider public. The extent and nature of further consultation will be determined as the work under way is completed.

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