Low response to patronage survey

Fewer than 2,000 parents have responded to surveys on local school patronage in five areas where the possibility of handing over Catholic primary schools is to be considered.

Although official figures on the number of children in the areas are unknown, the responses to the Department of Education survey probably represent between one quarter and one third of those eligible to take part in Arklow, Co Wicklow; Castlebar, Co Mayo; Tramore, Co Waterford; Trim, Co Meath; and Whitehall in Dublin.

Education Minister Ruairi Quinn said the level of interest from parents was encouraging after the figures were released. The survey was open and to be completed online for three weeks up to last Friday.