The process to transfer schools under the Catholic Church to other patrons begins
October 22, 2012
The Minister for Education, Ruairí Quinn, announced today the beginning of the process of divesting schools under the Catholic Church. A survey is to be conducted to ascertain what type of schools parents want for their area.
Caoimhín Ó hEaghra, Ard Rúnaí An Foras Pátrúnachta, stated that ‘The Department of Education and Skills was giving parents more choices, under this process, as to what type of school they wanted in terms of the language and spiritual ethos of the school’. Ó hEaghra continued ‘An Foras Pátrúnachta are able to address the demands for diversity that parents have both in terms of Irish Medium education and also in terms of spiritual ethos. We are the only patron who can offer parents a choice of spiritual ethos which include Multidenominational, Interdenominational and Catholic.”
The survey is beginning in five areas: Arklow, Castlebar, Whitehall (including Kilmore West and Beaumont), Trim and Tramore. The Minister is asking parents in these areas to complete the online survey before the 9th of November 2012. The survey can be accessed on the Department’s website at www.education.ie or all information can be found at www.foras.ie.
Ó hEaghra stated that this is a great opportunity for parents who would like to promote Irish Medium in their area. It is important that parents complete the survey and select an Irish Medium School under An Foras Pátrúnachta. He went on to say that it is equally important to explain the benefits of Irish Medium Education to other parents and to seek their support.
An Foras Pátrúnachta has been providing diversity and addressing parents wishes since it was founded in 1993. Comprehensive information relating to this process is available at An Foras Pátrúnachta’s website (www.foras.ie) and we will be available to provide information on the benefits of Irish Medium Education, the multi denominational ethos and about us as a patron.
For media information, contact:
Caoimhín Ó hEaghra:: 01-6294110 :: eolas@foras.ie
Siobhán Seoighe :: 01-6294110 :: eolas@foras.ie
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