Minister announces patronage of new Northside schools

MINISTER for Education and Skills Joe McHugh has announced the patronage of 12 new primary schools to be established this year.

Four of the schools are on the Northside of Dublin. Educate Together will be patrons of new schools in  Donaghmede Howth (16 classrooms) and Killester, Raheny, Clontarf (eight classrooms), while the Dublin & Dun Laoghaire Education & Training Board (DDLETB) will be patrons of schools in Swords North (eight classrooms) and Swords South (eight classrooms).

These schools were announced in April 2018 to serve a number of locations under increased demographic pressures.

Minister McHugh said: “The establishment of these new schools forms an essential part of plans to ensure that sufficient new school places are available to cater for the growing cohort of pupils at primary level over the coming years. 

“Additional places will also continue to be provided by extending existing provision, as included in the Six Year Programme of Capital Investment in Schools 2016-2021.”

Paddy Monahan of the Killester, Raheny and Clontarf Educate Together Campaign said: “I am so happy that we'll have a new Educate Together school in our area – an equality-based school option was badly needed. 

“More than anything, on a personal level, I am relieved that my little boy may have the opportunity to attend a school that does not discriminate on the basis of religion and that treats all children with equal respect, regardless of their background.”

Pauline Gavin of the Donaghmede, Howth and Dublin 13 Educate Together National School campaign group said: “It's been great to be a part of such an important campaign, and the results show what a huge appetite there is in Dublin 13 for Educate Together.” 

Senator Catherine Noone, a Fine Gael candidate in Dublin Bay North for the next general election, said: “This is fantastic news for our community. The decision to award patronage to Educate Together directly reflects the wishes of local parents.

“The role of parents in the development of schools is thankfully now a major factor in the final decision. This allows us to tailor developments to the needs of local people.”

Labour’s candidate for the local elections in the Donaghmede Local Electoral Area (LEA), Shane Folan, also welcomed the news. 

“It’s great to see the hard work of locals pay off like this,” said Mr Folan.

“It really is a testament to what can be achieved when we work together to improve our area. 

“I campaigned alongside parents and residents who worked incredibly hard to get this result and I’m glad I was able to help our community in any way I could.”

Speaking following the Minister’s announcement, Paul Rowe, chief executive of Educate Together, said: “I would like to pay tribute to our existing schools that provide such a great example of what Educate Together school communities are all about. 

“I would also like to acknowledge and thank the campaigners and volunteers that gave up their time in the middle of winter to advocate for equality-based schools for their community.”