Written answers

Thursday, 21 November 2013

Department of Education and Skills

School Establishment

Photo of Catherine MurphyCatherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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74. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the aspects if any of the presentation made at a meeting regarding a school (details supplied) that were considered when the decision was made to provide for two vertical schools on the same campus as opposed to the junior-senior option of the existing school, the preferred choice of parents; if any consideration was given to a report which was commissioned by County Kildare Vocational Educational Committee; the consultation between his Department and the VEC; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50021/13]

Photo of Catherine MurphyCatherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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75. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the pupils from a school (details supplied) will be required to enrol in the proposed new Maynooth Community College or will it be open to them to attend Maynooth Post Primary School; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50023/13]

Photo of Catherine MurphyCatherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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76. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the way he intends to handle the downsizing of a school (details supplied); what the maximum intake will be; the consideration that has been given to subject choice in that scenario during the transition period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50024/13]

Photo of Catherine MurphyCatherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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77. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason there has been no direct correspondence between his Department and the parent body of a school (details supplied); the reason no explanation has been given on the reason the junior-senior option, their preferred option, was not agreed to; if he will agree to a plebiscite of parents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50025/13]

Photo of Catherine MurphyCatherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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78. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if any consideration was given to the wider community impact of the decision to provide for two vertical post primary schools as opposed to a junior-senior school on the one site in Maynooth; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the post primary school is regarded as a unifying force in the town; if he is aware of the high regard for the school felt in the area; if he has concerns that the two school model might amplify the various stratifications within the community and might lead to cherry picking in what might develop into good school versus better school option; if the decision might be considered a social experiment in view of the proven track record of the existing school; the reason the parents were engaged in a lengthy process and led to believe their views would be paramount; the concerns he has regarding the decision he made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50026/13]

Photo of Catherine MurphyCatherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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79. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the way the 2014 intake to schools (details supplied) will be handled; where the pupils of both will be accommodated in September 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50031/13]

Photo of Catherine MurphyCatherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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80. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he can reconcile the way his stated aim of increasing pluralism and choice for parents and students in school patronage models fits with the potential new patronage model for schools (details supplied) as part of the Government's overall commitment to reducing the proportion of schools under catholic patronage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50032/13]

Photo of Ruairi QuinnRuairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 74 to 80, inclusive, together.

As the Deputy may be aware, I met with representatives of the parents' associations from schools in the area referred to. The deputation put forward the view that the new post-primary school being established in 2014 in the area should be configured, along with the existing post-primary school into a junior school / senior school model rather than as two separate fully vertical schools.

I fully considered all aspects of this matter and I am of the view that the schools can operate successfully as two vertical schools. I consider this to be the optimum configuration for the two schools and indeed the best provision that can be made for the pupils in the area.

The patron of the two post-primary schools in question has developed a specific management structure for the new educational campus that will be constituted. In this regard, it is proposed that a single Governing Authority be established in order to guarantee to Parents/Guardians and Students a fair and equitable enrolment policy for both schools and to ensure that the overall management of the campus would be as cohesive and effective as possible. The Governing Authority will be representative of the stakeholders from both schools together with members of the patron body and will be under an independent Chairperson. This authority would be established under the provisions of the Education and Training Board Act 2013. Apart from the management of campus facilities, one of the key core functions of the Governing authority will be to develop and co-ordinate the overarching enrolment policy for both schools, following appropriate consultation with the respective Boards of Management of both schools and ensure that the policy is in keeping with the Education and Training Board policy and Department guidelines. This function does not supersede the powers conferred under the Education Act 1998 to the Boards of Managements of the individual schools.

In addition to the establishment of the single Governing Authority, the Patron will establish a Board of Management for each school. The functions of the Schools and the Boards of Management are those described under the Education Act 1998.

The pooling of resources of the two schools would mean the provision of the widest possible range of subjects for the pupils in both schools. This will be particularly important during the initial years of the establishment of the new post-primary school and during the downsizing of the existing school. By pooling the pupils from both schools, it will also be possible to offer a subject in one school where the demand from both schools would bring the class size to a viable number. It is envisaged that both schools will each cater for up to 1,000 pupils ultimately.

The existing post-primary school in the area referred to is very highly regarded locally. It is the intention of the patron that the new post-primary school would replicate and achieve the high standards and success attained in the existing school. The synergies generated by the new campus environment should be a significant benefit to both schools towards building on the success of the existing school and should assist them both in attaining high standards. The management and governance structures for the Education Campus that have been developed by the patron body as outlined, seek to ensure that the necessary appropriate relationships and close co-operation will exist between the two schools at all levels, from the Principals and the Boards of Management through to the pupils and the staff.

With regard to diversity of choice for parents when establishing new schools, my decision on patronage of the new school in question was influenced chiefly by parental preferences. The new school will cater for pupils of all faiths, backgrounds and belief systems and will be open to pupils of all primary schools in the area.

My Department is liaising with the patron in relation to start-up accommodation for the school.

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