PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN 23 towns are set to change patronage due to parental demand, the Department of Education has confirmed.

The results of primary school patronage surveys that were conducted in 38 towns across the country have been published by the department, with parents asked whether they wanted a more diverse range of primary schools in their area.

Of the 38 areas surveyed, 23 showed sufficient demand to warrant change. 22 of these areas will see the establishment of an English language multi-denominational school, with one area getting an Irish language school established.

Of the 22 English language schools, parents were in favour of an Educate Together patron in 20 cases, with Community National Schools to be established in the remaining two areas, to be run by the local VEC.

The Minister for Education, Ruairí Quinn, called the change of patronage a “significant step on the road to providing a plurality of education and real choice for parents in the type of primary school they wish to send their children to.”

We are confident of a generous response from the existing patrons to the clear demand for change in more than 60% of the areas surveyed this year.

The surveys were undertaken over four weeks from 14 of January, with parents of 0-12-year-olds in each area invited to participate.

Read: Survey begins asking parents who should run primary schools >