State to act if school handovers are delayed [Independent.ie]
- Published: 25 June 2011
THE Department of Education warned yesterday that it would take action on the divesting of schools if there was a delay in reaching agreement on a handover from Catholic-run schools to different patrons.
Department Secretary-General Brigid McManus said there was an "urgent" need within certain communities to give a choice to parents who had shown in sufficient numbers that they wanted an alternative.
In the absence of speedy agreement, the State would have to meet its obligations in relation to balancing rights and "find some way to address it", she said.
Ms McManus was speaking at the Forum on Pluralism and Patronage, which is examining ways to increase choice in primary education to meet the growing demand for cultural and religious diversity.
The forum's brief includes advising on how to divest some of the 90pc of Catholic-run schools to other patrons. It is also exploring how small schools in rural communities, which will not change patrons, can provide greater diversity.
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