The Minister for Education, Batt O'Keeffe, TD, has ordered an extensive review of how new primary schools are approved for State funding. Currently potential patrons, such as local bishops or the Educate Together group, approach the State when a demand is established in a local community for a particular model of primary education.
It comes as officials from the Department of Education and Science are set to meet Dublin's Archbishop Diarmuid Martin to discuss the issue of the Church giving up the patronage of schools where there is no longer a demand for Catholic schools, particularly in non-Catholic immigrant communities.
The assessment, under the auspices of the Commission on School Accommodation, is expected to undertake a full review of the criteria and procedures for the recognition of new schools as well as issues such as the minimum number of pupils which is required for the commencement of new schools.
According to a spokesperson for the Department ''a wide range of broad policy issues on school patronage and the approach to diversity of provision will be considered''.
A department official confirmed that ''parental choice in the particular model of primary education that parents desire for their children will play a central role in the review''.
Members of the public and other interested parties are invited to make written submissions to the Commission on School Accommodation before July 25, 2009.
Forward Planning Section, Department of Education and Science, Tullamore, Co Offaly.
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