Patronage of Schools must be looked at

Fine Gael Cork Senator Deirdre Clune has today (Tuesday) said that patronage of our schools must be looked at. This follows on from a report published today by the Advisory Group to the Forum on Patronage and Pluralism in the Primary Sector and which was presented to the Minister of Education and Skills Ruairi Quinn.

“We are becoming a more diverse society with people from different culture and ethnic backgrounds not attending our schools in large numbers. There is a general that a greater diversity of primary schooling is necessary and I welcome this change in attitude. The report outlines the history and evolution of patronage in Irish society”.

“The report notes that while 96% of education provision at primary level is denominational arising from the historical development of Irish primary education, there is clearly increased demand for new forms of multi – denominational and non –denominational schooling, as well as increased demand for Irish language schooling”.

On the other hand less than 4 % of primary schools in Ireland are multi –denominational a relatively low number compare to other European states. Over recent years Irish society has changed a great deal reflecting a more multi- cultural society with an international outlook. School provision needs to reflect this changed society and provide ever increasing diversity.

“This report contributes to and offers a welcome development in the way patronage is being decided in schools. I very much welcome the fact that parents are being given more choice as they make extremely important decisions about the education of their children. We live in a multi –cultural society with people from different backgrounds and cultures. The Forum on Patronage is a key commitment in the Programme for Government and is another indication of our drive to reform and ensure fairness in our schools” said Senator Clune.