Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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There are currently 172 primary schools with a multi-denominational or inter-denominational ethos. This includes:

• 51 of the 52 new primary schools established since 2011 having a multi-denominational ethos
• 32 areas now have increased multi-denominational provision as a result of the reconfiguration or divesting process undertaken since 2011.

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 Programme for Government commits to seeking to increase choice for parents by ensuring that families can access both multi/non-denominational and faith-based education.

The schools reconfiguration process, supporting transfers of schools to multi-denominational patrons in response to the wishes of local communities, has been developed in order to meet demand from parents and to accelerate the delivery of multi-denominational schools. When a school transfers from the patronage of one patron to another, the school remains open with the same roll number and operating from the same school property.

My Department has just published a comprehensive Education Plan 2025 that outlines a significant body of work that I am undertaking this year to deliver for everyone in our school and youth services’ communities.

There are over 100 actions in this plan including a commitment to launch a survey of primary school parents and guardians and pre-school parents and guardians on their preferences on important aspects of school provision and choice, such as the future patronage and ethos of their school. I intend to launch the survey in quarter 3 of 2025. I will announce further details in due course.