Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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235. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to indicate the distribution of the current primary schools and pupil numbers across the different patronage bodies; and the extent to which there has been a growth in non-denominational and multi-denominational schools over the past decade. [28299/24]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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236. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of transfers of patronage which have been completed over the past decade from denominational patronage to other forms of patronage. [28300/24]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 235 and 236 together.

The target for multi-denominational provision is the Programme for Government commitment of 400 multi-denominational primary schools by 2030. In the last number of years there has been considerable progress towards increasing the number of multi-denominational schools with 51 of the 52 new primary schools and 45 of the 51 new post-primary schools established since 2011 having a multi-denominational ethos.

There are currently 169 mainstream primary schools with a multi-denominational or inter-denominational ethos.

Separately 12 primary schools have been established under the patronage divesting process, all of which have a multi-denominational ethos. In two of the patronage divesting areas, the demographics increased sufficiently to warrant the establishment of new schools for demographic purposes outside of the divesting process and new multi-denominational schools have been established in these areas.

For historical reasons, most primary schools are State-aided parish schools, with the local Bishop as patron. It is recognised, including by the Catholic patrons, that more diverse provision is required to cater for our changing society.

My Department’s ‘Schools Reconfiguration for diversity process’ supports the transfer of schools from denominational patrons to multi-denominational patrons in response to the wishes of local school communities.

This process has been developed to accelerate the delivery of multi-denominational schools.

During 2022/23 a pilot structured engagement process took place with school communities in a number of towns and areas of cities that had no multi-denominational primary schools. This process aimed to identify potential schools and to engage with school authorities, school staff and the school communities with a view to agreeing on a transfer of patronage and change of ethos, where there was sufficient demand.

Four schools (which were under Catholic patronage) across the 8 pilot areas have decided to transfer patronage becoming multi-denominational primary schools. Two of these schools (Cornamaddy Community National School in Athlone and South City Community National School, formerly St. Enda’s Primary School in Whitefriar Street, Dublin 8) have transferred to the local Education and Training Board, becoming multi-denominational community national schools.

A further school (Kyle NS, Kyle, Youghal, Co. Cork) is transferring from Catholic patronage to the local Education and Training Board, becoming a multi-denominational community national school with effect from September 2024. The remaining school (Paradise Place ETNS, formerly St. Mary’s, Dorset Street) transferred patronage to Educate Together in April 2024.

A number of transfers of patronage and change of ethos to multi-denominational have been agreed between individual patrons. Under the Education Act 1998, the legal responsibility for transferring patronage rests with the current school patron in the first instance.

A school patron may write to the Minister to request a voluntary transfer of patronage under Section 8 of the Education Act 1998, in relation to the particular school and requesting that the patron register is amended accordingly.

In this context Fedamore National School, Co. Limerick and Lyreacrompane National School, Co. Kerry will operate as Community National Schools under the patronage of their local ETB from September 2024.

It is my intention that, following consultation with relevant stakeholders, a review of the 2022/23 reconfiguration structured engagement process in the 8 pilot areas nationwide will be finalised and published shortly. It is envisaged that it will include a framework for delivering on the Government commitment for increasing multi-denominational provision.

A significant amount of work has been done by my Department on the scope, logistics and practical arrangements for a survey of primary school communities. It is intended that the online, school-specific survey will ask parents and guardians of children currently in primary school and parents and guardians of children who have not yet started primary school their preferences on important aspects of school provision and choice.

It is intended that the survey will focus on a number of areas including demand for a multi-denominational ethos, demand for co-education provision in respect of schools which are currently single-sex (schools catering only for boys or only for girls) and demand for the provision of education through Irish.

As part of this process, it is my intention to keep school staff informed as the process progresses and provide an opportunity for school staff to participate in the survey. The survey of primary school communities will be conducted in the 2024/25 school year. Further details will be announced in due course.

My Department is conscious of the need to give real-time, concise information to parents, school staff and the wider community. The Reconfiguration Unit is increasing its online presence by designing a new section of the gov.ie website to provide bespoke, accessible and clear information on reconfiguration.

Parental demand will be the key driver in meeting the Programme for Government target of 400 multi-denominational primary schools by 2030. The extent of such demand and the period/year that this arises will impact on our ability to meet the target by 2030.

The Government’s goal remains to establish a strong process, that has the support of patrons and local communities, and which will enable us to continue to increase the number of multi-denominational primary schools across the country.

Regarding the breakdown of primary schools and students under each patronage body, the following table outlines the final enrolment data in mainstream primary schools for the 2022/2023 school year. The final enrolment data for 2023/2024 will be published shortly.

I can also confirm to the Deputy that my Department has published a full statistical bulletin for the 2022/2023 school year which is available at the following link: assets.gov.ie/263000/f2932136-6191-4e56-9af0-5b315e85702f.pdf