Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for coming in. The programme for Government states "We need a dynamic and innovative education system that reflects the diversity of Twenty First Century Ireland." It also speaks of a "roadmap" for a phased transfer of Catholic schools to new patrons. The problem, of course, is that the Minister has not delivered and is not delivering on that commitment. In spite of the worthy aspirations to diversity in the programme for Government, there has been an abject failure to follow through on the so-called patronage divestment process.

As the Minister knows, this matter goes back to 2012 and the recommendations of the forum on patronage and pluralism in primary schools. We know that through surveys it was established that there was evidence of parental demand for change in a number of areas of stable population, and that this would happen by the Catholic Church divesting patronage of existing schools. The Department gave approval for Educate Together to proceed with opening a number of new multidenominational schools under this process. Included in these were Trim, Tuam, Tramore, New Ross and Castlebar Educate Together schools. Educate Together is adamant that at no stage in this process did it agree that these would remain as half-stream schools. It indicates that principals and boards were appointed on the basis of these schools being allowed to develop and grow. This is and always has been the basis on which Educate Together agrees to open new schools.

All five schools are thriving and intended to take in full junior infant classes this September. In spite of this, the Department has stepped in to stymie their development by severely limiting their intake to a half-stream of 13 children this September. Parents in each of these areas are very upset and disappointed that their wishes and entitlement to send their children to a school with a patron of their choice has been completely disregarded and shown disrespect. When this matter was highlighted in the media, the Department issued a factually incorrect statement. It stated the level of potential pupil intake indicated a long-term projected size of up to half a single stream school, and this statement is erroneous. In the majority of the five schools, the recommendation was for at least a half-stream school. More important, the surveys of all five schools stated, "Taking account of ... long-term requirements, accommodation options for a full stream of provision should be considered."

The purpose of this process is that the Catholic Church is to reconfigure its own schools to free up existing accommodation for a new Educate Together school in each area. The surveys for all five of these schools stated, "The main patron (Catholic Archbishop) should now be asked to consider reconfiguration options that would provide accommodation for an Educate Together school in the area." Did the Minister ask the main patron to do this and, if so, what was his reply? Will the Minister now withdraw the Department's instruction to these five schools to limit their intake and allow these schools to develop and thrive in accordance with the wishes of local families?

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