Call to speed up divestment of schools

Two multi-denominational schools will open this week in temporary accommodation because no existing property has yet been provided for them as part of the Government-led patronage divestment process.

They are among six new multi-denominational Educate Together primary schools, where children learn about all religions together and faith-specific teaching happens outside school hours.

Of four in areas where wider choice for parents was recommended following local surveys for the Department of Education, one near Ballina, Co Mayo, has opened in a former Church of Ireland school property. Another in Malahide is in temporary accommodation, but will eventually get a new building because local population growth now means an additional school is needed instead of taking over an existing one.