Patronage of Lusk Secondary School awarded to the Vocational Education Committee

Fine Gael TD for Dublin North Alan Farrell has congratulated the Vocational Education Committee for its successful bid for patronage of Lusk Secondary School.  

“I would like to extend my sincere congratulations to the VEC for its successful bid for patronage of the new secondary school in Lusk. The decision was based on a number of factors, including parental demand for plurality and diversity of patronage.

“Patrons were asked to provide evidence of parental demand when making an application for a new school, as well as their proposals to provide for extending or strengthening diversity of provision in each area, having regard to the views of parents.

“Earlier this year I wrote to all parents in Lusk with details on how to officially support to their preferred patron, to ensure that all parents had the opportunity to express their points of view.

“The Minister for Education set up an independent advisory board to ensure that the appointment of this patron would be an objective and transparent process. The arrangements included the establishment of a New Schools Establishment Group, an independent advisory group, to advise the Minister on the patronage of the new schools following its consideration of a report prepared by Department officials.

“I would also like to extend my congratulations to Educate Together on its successful bid for patronage of two new post primary schools in Dublin and Louth, which will firmly establish Education Together as a patron for post primary facilities throughout the country for future generations.

“With regard to Balbriggan, with whom patronage has been awarded to An Foras Pátrúnachta, the Department noted the high level of parental demand identified as part of this process for alternative language provision in these areas. In light of this, the Department will be making provision to cater for this alternative demand in both of these areas in the medium term.

“I would like to extend my best wishes to the VEC in this new venture, as well as all students and families of Lusk that will benefit from this vital facility for generations to come. The provision of this school means so much families and students the area and I am confident that this decision will ensure its successful establishment within the community.”