Minister Bruton launches new online patronage website and invites parents to express preference for patronage of four new schools to be established in 2019

The Minister for Education and Skills, Richard Bruton TD, has today (22nd of June) invited parents in four areas to express their preference in relation to the patronage of four post-primary schools to be established in 2019.

Parents are invited to express their patronage preferences using the department’s new Online Patronage Process System (OPPS) website, which the Minister also officially launched today. This system has been developed to provide objective information to all parents and guardians which will allow them to make an informed choice in expressing a preference for their preferred model of patronage, and language medium, for their child’s education.

The Online Patronage Process System can be accessed at: patronage.education.gov.ie.

The four post-primary schools to be established in 2019 will serve the following school planning areas:

• Donaghmede_Howth_D13 (Belmayne/Clongriffin area)
• GalwayCity and Oranmore (Regional Solution)
• Laytown and Drogheda (Regional Solution)
• Wicklow

Today’s invitation follows on from the Minister’s recent announcement for the establishment of 42 new schools over the next four year period from 2019 to 2022.

We are fortunate in Ireland to have a growing population. However, this growth puts pressure on our public services. If we are to have the best education and training system in Europe, we must ensure that we adequately prepare for this future need by planning for the necessary modern school facilities now.

These planned new schools were decided following on from a nationwide, forward-planning exercise carried out by the department into the future need for primary and post-primary schools across the country. The four year horizon will enable increased lead-in times for planning and delivery of the schools.

The patronage process, which is commencing today, will run until 31st July 2018.

The patronage process for the remaining schools will also be run at a later date, significantly ahead of their due opening.

Inviting patronage preferences from interested parents/guardians today, Minister Bruton said:

The patronage determination process for new schools is overseen by the independent New Schools Establishment Group (NSEG). This Group was set up in 2011 to advise the Minister on the patronage of new schools following its consideration of a report prepared by the department on the applications received.

ENDS

Details of new schools to be established in 2019:

• Donaghmede_Howth_D13 (Belmayne/Clongriffin area)
• GalwayCity and Oranmore (Regional Solution)
• Laytown and Drogheda (Regional Solution)
• Wicklow

Applicant Patrons for each school:

Donaghmede_Howth_D13 (Belmayne/Clongriffin area)

• City of Dublin Education and Training Board
• Educate Together
• Le Chéile Schools Trust
• Scoil Sinéad Limited

GalwayCity and Oranmore (Regional Solution)

• Bishop of Tuam, Killala and Achonry
• Educate Together
• Galway Roscommon Education and Training Board
• Scoil Sinéad Limited

Laytown and Drogheda (Regional Solution)

• Educate Together
• Loreto Education Trust
• Louth and Meath Education and Training Board
• Scoil Sinéad Limited

Wicklow

• Educate Together
• Kildare and Wicklow Education and Training Board
• Le Chéile Schools Trust
• Scoil Sinéad Limited

The New Schools Establishment Group

The patronage process for new schools is overseen by the New Schools Establishment Group (NSEG). This Group was set up in 2011 to advise the Minister on the patronage of new schools following its consideration of a report prepared by the department on the applications received.

The current members of the NSEG are:

• Mr. Joe Hamill, Retired Secretary General of the Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs
• Professor Gerry Mac Ruairc, Head, School of Education, National University of Ireland Galway
• Professor Sarah Moore, Associate Vice-President Academic, University of Limerick

Next steps

The department has launched the Online Patronage Process System website, this will provide objective information to all parents which will allow them to make an informed choice in expressing a preference for their preferred model of patronage for their child’s education.

The department will subsequently compile a patronage report for the consideration of the New Schools Establishment Group (NSEG) and the NSEG will submit a report with recommendations for consideration by the Minister.

Patronage commitments

The Applicant Patron(s) will have to satisfy the following requirements, by confirming to:

• operate by the rules and regulations laid down in various Department of Education and Skills circulars and operating procedures and to follow the prescribed curriculum
• operate the school within the resourcing and policy parameters established by the Department of Education and Skills
• prioritise enrolment of children in the area(s) for which the department has identified the need for a school
• accept and open special education facilities
• grow enrolment to the long-term projected enrolment identified by the department
• establish an Aonad where there is a demand for it (for a school where the primary medium of instruction is to be English)
• enter into the appropriate standard lease agreement with the Department of Education and Skills
• share school buildings with other schools as may be determined by the department should the building not be in full use
• be part of a campus development with other primary or second-level schools as identified by the department
• identify and source suitable interim accommodation, where deemed necessary by the department, within the parameters set by the department