IPPN

Published: 22 June 2009

SENIOR DEPARTMENT of Education officials will meet the Archbishop of Dublin shortly to examine his proposals to divest control of some Catholic schools.

Diarmuid Martin last week repeated his willingness to divest control of schools in areas where the Catholic Church was over-represented.

He described the virtual Catholic monopoly of primary school patronage as a historical hangover which did not reflect the reality of modern Ireland.

The department confirmed last night it would make contact with Dr Martin and other members of the Catholic hierarchy "to establish a more detailed assessment of areas in which schools could be identified where there is more school provision than needed by the demand for Catholic education and where existing schools could be used to provide for diversity of parental choice."

In late 2007, senior department officials met Dr Martin to discuss statements he had made at that stage in relation to the possible divesting of the patronage of primary schools in the archdiocese.

The department said that at that meeting, Dr Martin indicated that he had no specific locations in mind where one or more schools under his patronage might transfer to another patron, but that it might arise in the future.

"The meeting discussed the different issues that might arise, the need for such changes to be planned and managed and the desirability in individual school cases of consultation with all stakeholders ; parents, teachers and local communities," the department continued.

"It was agreed that Archbishop Martin would contact the Department at an early stage in any case where he was considering the feasibility of such a transfer, but no such cases have been referred to the Department."

On the wider issue of school patronage, the department said it was consulting directly with patrons about specific areas where the establishment of new schools would be required and how emerging demands in these areas would be addressed.

It will be seeking details of any schools where a change of patronage might potentially be relevant, as part of this process.

The Commission on School Accommodation is also undertaking a review of procedures for the establishment of new primary schools.

Among the range of issues being considered is patronage, including the criteria that must be met to become a patron and the circumstances where changes to patronage may be warranted.

Two new pilot community schools under VEC patronage are being rolled out in Dublin.

Fine Gael's education spokesman Brian Hayes last night called on the Minister to establish, without delay, a national forum on education to address issues concerning school governance, patronage and management.

"In light of Archbishop Martin's recent comments, an open invitation now exists and I believe that if the forum is not established, a great opportunity will be missed," Mr Hayes said in a statement.

"There are complex and difficult issues surrounding the future of education. We need to think carefully about these issues in an open, honest and non-confrontational way."