The Minister for Higher Education, Mary Mitchell O’Connor T.D., today welcomed the announcement of the patronage of two new primary schools in South Dublin to be established in 2019.

Patronage has been awarded to An Foras Pátrúnachta, the largest patron of gaelscoileanna, to establish an eight-classroom school in Booterstown/Blackrock, while Educate Together will provide school accommodation of 16 classrooms in Goatstown/Stillorgan.

Minister Mitchell O’Connor said the announcement is good news for parents in her constituency whose children will be able to attend the new schools, and where there is an ongoing demand for primary school places. She welcomed the addition of schools where an ethos of diversity and an education “as Gaeilge” were part of the offering.

Minister Mitchell O’Connor said “As a former school principal of the Harold School in Glasthule and the current Minister for Higher Education, the value of education from those early pre-school days to primary, secondary and Third Level institutions, is permanently on my agenda. Two new primary schools will bring great comfort to parents looking for more education options for their children, and indeed, bring a blanket of comfort to neighbourhoods where demand for primary school places increases year-on-year.

“I am delighted with these two patronages. An Foras Pátrúnachta allows children the opportunity to be educated ‘as Gaeilge’, while Educate Together operate under a diverse and all-inclusive curriculum that is founded on equality for all children. I look forward to the establishment of both schools this year.”

In total, the patronage of 12 new primary schools will be established around Ireland in 2019. The announcement was made today by the Department of Education and Skills where all 12 patronages come under the recommendations of the New Schools Establishment Group (NSEG).

The new schools will initially be established in interim accommodation to ensure schools can open in September 2019.