Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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181. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if students of all religions who wish to attend their local secondary school (details supplied) in Dublin 15 in the multi- ethnic community, will be required to wear a Catholic crest on their school jumper, as is proposed by the patrons and as appears on their website. [21444/13]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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In accordance with the provisions of the Education Act 1998, the Board of Management is the body charged with the direct governance of a school.

Individual school authorities are responsible for the drawing up of a school policy in relation to the wearing of school uniforms. However, my Department recommends that the formulation of such a school policy should allow for prior consultation with teachers, parents and pupils where appropriate and enable any concerns to be raised and considered.

Decisions regarding school uniforms are a matter for each individual school.

The patronage of the school in question was decided in July 2012 following a report prepared by the New Schools Establishment Group, an independent advisory group. All Patrons were asked to provide evidence of parental demand when making an application for a new school. In addition, the criteria used in deciding on patronage included how the proposed schools under the respective patrons would provide for extending or strengthening diversity of provision in each area, having regard to the views of parents.

In accepting the advice of the New Schools Establishment Group on the patronage of the school in Tyrellstown, I was particularly conscious of taking into account the clear parental demand for plurality and diversity of patronage. I am confident that the new schools, alongside the existing schools in the area, will mean that parents and students have real choice when it comes to deciding which school most reflects their own ethos.