Minister for Education and Skills Ruairí Quinn has outlined a process by which primary schools under denominational patronage, typically a Catholic Bishop, can be divested to another patron, such as Educate Together, to provide greater diversity of schools. The process includes a parental survey to ascertain the views of parents in the areas where these changes are to be considered. It will be piloted in 44 areas across the country, including Ballina, Castlebar and Westport, driven by the Department of Education and Skills. This process is expected to happen during October and November this year.
Welcoming the ministers decision, Regional Development Officer for Educate Together in the West of Ireland, Jarlath Munnelly said: “Many parents in County Mayo have expressed an interest in having an Educate Together school near them, now parents in these three Mayo towns will be surveyed later this year to see what type of school they would like to have.”
