Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats)
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100. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when her Department will launch the planned national survey for parents on school ethos as part of Government efforts to change more religious-run schools to multi-denominational patronage; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39259/24]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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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.

The Department of Education’s ‘Schools Reconfiguration for diversity process’ supports the transfer of schools from denominational patrons to multi-denominational (non-religious) patrons (where children learn about all faith and belief systems during the school day) in response to the wishes of local school communities. This process has been developed to accelerate the delivery of multi-denominational schools. The Programme for Government includes a commitment of having 400 multi-denominational primary schools by 2030.

The Department plans to finalise and publish a framework for delivering on the Government commitment for increasing multi-denominational provision.

A significant amount of work has been done by the 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, including demand for a multi-denominational ethos. It is intended that school staff and Board of Management members will also have an opportunity to complete a survey.

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.