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.