Press release
Minister McHugh invites parents to express preference for patronage of 12 primary schools to be established in 2019
Published on
Last updated on
Published on
Last updated on
The Minister for Education and Skills, Joe McHugh TD, has today (10th of December) invited parents to express their preference in relation to the patronage of 12 primary schools to be established in 2019.
Parents are invited to express their patronage preferences using the department’s new Online Patronage Process System (OPPS) website https://patronage.education.gov.ie.
This system has been developed to provide objective information to all parents and guardians which will allow them to make an informed choice in expressing a preference for a patronage model and language of instruction for their child’s education.
The 12 primary schools will serve the following school planning areas:
Today’s invitation follows on from the government’s announcement of the establishment of 42 new schools over the next four years from 2019 to 2022.
Minister McHugh said:
“We are fortunate in Ireland to have a growing population. However, this growth puts pressure on our public services. If we are to have a world class education and training system we must ensure that we adequately prepare for this future need by planning necessary modern school facilities now.”
These planned new schools were decided following on from a nationwide, forward-planning exercise carried out by the department into the future need for primary and post-primary schools across the country. The four year horizon will enable increased lead-in times for planning and delivery of the schools.
The department has appointed a Project Manager to assist in the procurement of interim school accommodation for the schools opening in September 2019 and potential interim accommodation solution options have been identified for the majority of these schools.
The patronage process, which is commencing today, will run until the 15th of January 2019.
The patronage process for the remaining schools will be run at a later date, significantly ahead of their planned opening.
Inviting patronage preferences from interested parents/guardians today, Minister McHugh said:
“Parental preferences for each patron along with the diversity currently available in these areas of growing population are key to decisions in relation to the outcome of this process."
“I encourage all parents of children who will be starting school in the next 5 years to engage with the process. This is your opportunity to make your views known and help to shape the education of the future.”
The patronage process for new schools is overseen by the independent New Schools Establishment Group (NSEG). This Group was set up in 2011 to advise the Minister on the patronage of new schools following its consideration of a report prepared by the department on the applications received.
ENDS
Booterstown_Blackrock
Donaghmede_Howth_D13
Dublin6_Clonskeagh and Dublin_6W (Regional Solution)
Dunshaughlin
Glasheen_CorkCity/Pouladuff
Goatstown_Stillorgan_DLR
Kilcoole/Newtownmountkennedy
Killester_Raheny_Clontarf
Leixlip
Maynooth
Swords/North
Swords/South
The patronage process for new schools is overseen by the New Schools Establishment Group (NSEG). This Group was set up in 2011 to advise the Minister on the patronage of new schools following its consideration of a report prepared by the department on the applications received.
The current members of the NSEG are:
With regard to the primary school to serve the Drumcondra_Marino_Dublin 1 school planning area to be established in 2019, the New Schools Establishment Group (NSEG) advised that a new patronage process was not required in this specific case and recommended that the new school to be established in 2019 to serve the Drumcondra_Marino_Dublin 1 school planning area should be a Gaelscoil under the patronage of An Foras Pátrúnachta. In line with the recommendations of the NSEG, patronage of this school has been awarded to An Foras Pátrúnachta.
The new Online Patronage Process System (OPPS) website will provide objective information to all parents which will allow them to make an informed choice in expressing a preference for their preferred model of patronage and language of instruction for their child’s education.
The department will subsequently compile a patronage report for the consideration of the New Schools Establishment Group (NSEG) and the NSEG will submit a report with recommendations for consideration by the Minister.
The patronage processes for the remaining schools (2020 – 2022) will be run at a later date, significantly ahead of their planned opening. The following are the anticipated timeframes for the remaining processes:
The Applicant Patron(s) will have to satisfy the following requirements, by confirming to: