Catholic bishops in 23 areas across the State have
six months to provide detailed proposals on how they plan on divesting
primary schools of their patronage.
The move comes on the publication of a survey
on parental preferences for primary school patronage published by
the Department of Education.
Out of 38 survey areas selected according to
specific demographic criteria, 23 have demonstrated demand for “an
immediate change in the existing school patronage”, according to a
Department of Education statement.
Among the 23 were Dublin 6, Malahide,
Palmerstown, Portmarnock, Rush, Tuam, Westport, Ballina, Clonmel,
Passage West, Dungarvan, Fermoy, Kells, Killarney, Leixlip, Loughrea,
Cobh, Nenagh, New Ross, Shannon, Celbridge and Carrigaline.
One area, Birr in Co Offaly, showed sufficient
demand for a Gaelscoil.
Several others specified VEC patronage as their
preferred option.
There was insufficient demand in areas such as Wicklow, Skerries, Carrick-on-Suir and Roscommon, among others.
The level of demand required to support change
was set at the minimum enrolment required for a four-teacher school,
somewhere between 80 and 100 pupils.
A total of 10,715 valid survey
responses were received.
The majority of parents who took part in the
survey named Educate Together as their preferred patron.
Minister for Education Ruairi Quinn said: “We
cannot ignore this call for change”.
Fr Michael Drumm, chairperson of
the Catholic Schools Partnership, said the figures needed closer
analysis.