School trustees concerned about ownership issues

THE Department of Education has said any problems about the transfer of ownership arising out of a change in patronage of primary schools should be overcome through goodwill and leasing arrangements.

The Forum on Patronage and Pluralism in the Primary Sector had heard during public hearings this week that trustees of schools were concerned about ownership issues which could arise out of any change of patron.

However, the secretary general of the Department of Education, Brigid McManus, said yesterday that she would be happy to seek advice from the Attorney General if any barriers existed to impede the transfer or leasing of school buildings under a change of patron.