Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 108: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if she proposes to establish an education convention to consider the future of governance and management in the primary school system here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6050/08]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The issues around future governance and management in the primary school system, in the context of changing circumstances, are the subject of dialogue on an ongoing basis with each of the patron bodies, management bodies and education partners. Education issues have also featured strongly in the ongoing structured dialogue between the Government, churches, faith communities and non-confessional organisations in Ireland which are being led by the Taoiseach.

The Deputy will be aware that last December I announced further details of a new model of patronage at primary school level to be piloted from September 2008. The new community national school model reflects the impact of growing diversity in Irish society on the traditional structures for primary education provision. The model will aim to cater for the wishes of parents for denominational, multi-denominational and non-denominational education within the framework of a single patron model and single board of management structure. The model is not intended to replace the existing patron models but to provide an additional option, likely to be used particularly in growing areas. Three schools will be included in the initial pilot under the patronage of County Dublin Vocational Education Committee (VEC).

The implementation of the new pilot patronage model has also involved, and will continue to involve, consultations with the main patron bodies, management bodies and partners.

Our current system of school management has served us well. It means that communities have a strong role in how schools are run and that Patrons can ensure that their ethos is promoted in their schools. Such a locally-based system places a lot of responsibility on board members and my Department is anxious to ensure that members of boards are provided with training and other supports that are needed to discharge board members' responsibilities.

In recognition of these responsibilities, the Teacher Education Section of my Department has developed a new scheme for the provision of support to school management bodies for the purpose of training and development of boards of management in the discharge of their duties and consistent with national and DES priorities. This scheme is administered through the Drumcondra Education Centre.