Analysis on the start-up and growth of Irish-medium schools to commence immediately as recommended by the Forum on Patronage and Plurality
June 21, 2012
Minister Ruairí Quinn announced the Action Plan which he plans to implement in response to the recommendations by the Advisory Board to the Forum on Patronage and Plurality in the primary school sector.
An Foras Pátrúnachta welcomes the decision by the Minister that analysis of the start-up and growth of Irish-medium schools will commence immediately in response to the recommendations of the Advisory Board for the provision of Irish-medium education. It is expected that this important analysis will be a vital information source for future policy development in the area of Irish-medium education.An Foras Pátrúnachta is delighted that the Minister has accepted the recommendations on the divestment of patronage to increase diversity in schools. Caoimhín Ó hEaghra, General Secretary of An Foras Pátrúnachta said, “The Department of Education and Skills is offering more of a choice to parents, as part of this process, to choose the kind of school they would like regarding the medium of teaching and the ethos of the school.” Parents will be asked to express their opinions and wishes to the Department when they will be surveyed this Autumn. Ó hEaghra continued, “As a patron, we are already meeting the diverse needs of parents through the three different types of characteristic spirits offered by the patron; Catholic, Interdenominational, Multidenominational through the medium of Irish.”
An Foras Pátrúnachta had an advisory role in the Forum on Patronage and Plurality working sessions, sharing information and putting recommendations forward to the Advisory Board on the current status of Irish-medium education and the methods to take to evaluate and strengthen the provision of Irish-medium education to satisfy the demand. The Minister thanked all of the groups that submitted recommendations and participated in the working sessions.An Foras Pátrúnachta believe that the patron for Irish-medium schools has been advanced in serving diversity and plurality and parental demand since its foundation in 1993. Ó hEaghra welcomes the decision that the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment will be researching the development of programmes on Education about Religion and Beliefs and Ethics, “This research will be carried out in partnership with education partners and religious groups and An Foras Pátrúnachta greatly look forward to participating in this development process. The programmes will be very useful to schools and they will be a great addition to the teaching about religion and ethics.”
For media information, contact: Caitríona Bairéad :: caitriona@foras.ie :: 01-6294110
AN FORAS PÁTRÚNACHTA is the largest patron of Irish medium schools in Ireland at both primary and secondary level. There are 61 primary schools and 3 secondary schools under its patronage. AN FORAS PÁTRÚNACHTA is a patron of Irish-medium schools that have a choice of a Catholic, Multidenominational and Interdenominational (Catholic / Protestant) ethos. The vision of AN FORAS PÁTRÚNACHTA is to develop, strengthen and promote education through the medium of Irish throughout the country. AN FORAS PÁTRÚNACHTA is recognized by the Department of Education and Science as a patronage system which is acceptable and appropriate for first and second level schools. AN FORAS PÁTRÚNACHTA was founded in 1993 so that new gaelscoileanna opening in the coming years would have another choice with regard to patronage. For more information: www.foras.ie
