Primary school mergers to boost patron options

A spike in the number of primary school amalgamations could pave the way for divestment of patronage, the Education Minister Jan O’Sullivan has said.

The number of school mergers has doubled this year compared to 2014 and has been steadily increasing in recent years.

The Department of Education hopes that buildings can be freed up through amalgamations to allow for schools of varying patronage such as Educate Together and gaelscoileanna.