Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour) | Oireachtas source

The programme for Government gives a commitment to move towards a more pluralist system of patronage for our schools. In this context, the Government established a Forum on Patronage and Pluralism in the Primary Sector. The forum advised on how the education system can provide a sufficiently diverse number and range of primary schools catering for all religions and none and on the practicalities of transferring patronage of primary schools where it is appropriate.

Following surveys of parents in 43 areas, there was sufficient parental demand supporting change in 28 of these areas. To date, eight new primary schools have opened under the patronage divesting process. I have made it very clear that I am frustrated with the slow pace of progress in this area and that I am anxious to work with everyone involved to ensure we deliver new options for parents in the remaining 20 areas as quickly as possible, and certainly within the next couple of years.

To reinvigorate the patronage divesting process, I recently met the Catholic bishops and yesterday I met representatives from Education and Training Boards Ireland, ETBI. I have also arranged to meet representatives from Educate Together and the Church of Ireland next week. I am working with the main stakeholders to advance alternative choices for 2016 and beyond. I am willing to provide further updates to the Deputy as this work progresses and after I have had a chance to conclude the current series of meetings with the bodies involved.

Count	Roll No.	School Name	Address	Patron	Ethos	Year Opened
1	20430N	Canal Way Educate Together NS	Basin Lane, Dublin 8	Educate Together	Multi-denominational	2013
2	20444B	Trim Educate Together NS	Glebe, Kildalkey Road, Trim, County Meath	Educate Together	Multi-denominational	2014
3	20446F	Tramore Educate Together NS	Pond Road, Tramore, County Waterford	Educate Together	Multi-denominational	2014
4	20445D	Malahide/Portmarnock Educate Together NS	Malahide Road, Kinsealy, County Dublin	Educate Together	Multi-denominational	2014
5	09040K	Newtownwhite ETNS*	Newtownwhite, Ballysakerry, Ballina, County Mayo	Educate Together	Multi-denominational	2014
6	20456I	Tuam Educate Together NS	Dublin Road, Tuam, County Galway	Educate Together	Multi-denominational	2015
7	20458M	New Ross Educate Together NS	Barrett's Park, New Ross, County Wexford	Educate Together	Multi-denominational	2015
8	20461B	Gaelscoil na Laochra	Biorra, Contae Uíbh Fhailí	An Foras Pátrúnachta	Multi-denominational	2015

*This school resulted in the transfer of existing school from the Church of Ireland.

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