Small number of Catholic schools may transfer to new patrons later in year

A small number of Catholic schools may transfer to new patrons later this year but the Department of Education expects others to follow suit in greater numbers over the next few years.

The message was delivered to board members of Catholic primary schools yesterday, whose annual conference was told by department secretary general Seán Ó Foghlú they have been working hard with bishops and others in their communities to move along the divestment process.

While progress rates vary widely in 28 towns where parental demand for more school choices emerged in surveys more than a year ago, Education Minister Ruairí Quinn has said less than a handful are likely to be handed over this autumn.

The issue raises considerations in local areas about, for example, deciding which Catholic schools should amalgamate and which should make their facilities available to new patrons. In areas where divestment has been recommended, multi-denominational schools Educate Together was chosen as replacement patron.

Mr Ó Foghlú said the minister, who was unable to attend the Catholic Primary School Management Association (CPSMA) AGM, will provide details at a later stage of the small numbers being divested this year and next year when issues are ironed out.

“I think it will be important for school communities to be able to see the practical application of the change process on the ground and what it means for them. I believe that, in turn, this will give impetus to the process and be a source of encouragement for further positive developments in other areas for 2015 and onwards.”

But he said the minister wanted them to clearly understand that systems for changing patronage in the areas already surveyed will have to be widened to other communities, because of continuing pace of change in Irish society and parental demands for diverse patronage.

While the lead role in the divestment process has been taken by the Catholic Schools Partnership, he acknowledged the joint submission it made with CPSMA to the department’s recent consultation on diversity and inclusivity.

CPSMA general secretary, Fr Tom Deenihan, told delegates that much of the negative commentary concerning faith schools, and the teaching of religion, has been inaccurate and unhelpful.