Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for the opportunity to raise the issue and the Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills, Deputy Ciarán Cannon, for coming in to respond.

I acknowledge the huge work the Department of Education and Skills is already leading in regard to diversity of patronage at second level schools and in having a wide variety of organisations involved in running the secondary schools. The Department has recently made strong progress in this area. As the Minister of State is aware, three Educate Together secondary schools will open in the Dublin area in Hansfield, Lucan and Drogheda. Each of those schools has different patronage arrangements but Educate Together will be involved in each of them. As he is also aware, the Educate Together movement at primary level has been extremely successful. Such schools are popular with parents and teachers and are delivering innovation in curricula and a new school environment which is having a very strong and beneficial effect on young boys and girls across the country.

In Dublin 1, 3, 7, 9 and 11 there is a very large number of very successful Educate Together primary schools. As those students progress to secondary school, there is no Educate Together secondary school available in that part of the city that is capable of taking them in and allowing them to develop their education within that stream. There is significant parental interest and support for this, as the Minister for Education and Skills is already aware. I know he met representatives of the campaign group and signalled that he supports it in principle. This has already been advanced for other schools in Dublin. He asked that work be undertaken to assess the level of demand and what role the City of Dublin VEC could play.

I raise the matter because of the level of parental interest. Even though the campaign is just beginning, it has already obtained 2,500 signatories. Given their numbers we have a duty to parents to offer them a second level option that allows the excellence that has been delivered at primary level to be maintained. It is in the interest of the parents and the students who decide to go to Educate Together schools. I also believe it is in the interest of the overall educational system. All our schools, regardless of their patronage, do a fine job at the moment in moulding young boys and girls and giving them the support they need. Educate Together has brought something to the system that should be welcomed and supported. Given the level of parental demand and interest, I ask that the Government respond to this and put together a plan to meet the need and provide a school in this part of the city. Given the progress made to date elsewhere on this, I ask that the same level of support be given to this part of the city.

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