Jen Cummins (Dublin South Central, Social Democrats)
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313. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the percentage of schools in Dublin south-central that currently operate under multi-denominational patronage; and the specific actions being taken to expedite patronage transfers. [40306/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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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.

In order to increase choice for parents and to maximise the use of the existing school estate, my department has developed the schools reconguration process.  The schools reconfiguration process aims to meet demand from local school communities and to accelerate the delivery of multi-denominational schools by transferring schools to multi-denominational patrons, where school communities support this.

When a school transfers from the patronage of one patron to another, the school remains open with the same roll number, operating from the same school property and with the same school staff and pupils.

There are currently 172 primary schools with a multi-denominational or inter-denominational ethos. This includes 32 areas which now have increased multi-denominational provision as a result of the reconfiguration or divesting process undertaken since 2011. At post-primary level, there are 357 schools with a multi-denominational or inter-denominational ethos, representing 49% of post-primary schools.

Dublin South Central encompasses three School Planning Areas (SPA): Dublin 8, Ballyfermot D10 and Dolphins Barn D12. There are 50 primary and post-primary schools across the three SPA's of which 8% have a multi- denominational ethos.

I have recently published a comprehensive Education Plan 2025 that outlines a significant body of work being undertaken 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 the parents and guardians of children not yet in school 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.