Monday 3pm

Minister Mary Mitchell O’Connor has today welcomed the news that applications for patronage of a new primary school to be established in Dún Laoghaire in September 2017 are now open.

“My colleague The Minister for Education and Skills, Richard Bruton, T.D., has today invited school patron bodies/prospective school patron bodies to apply for the patronage of this new primary school.

“As a former teacher, education is always on my radar and this new primary school is a vital addition to the area. Parental preference and demand plays a big part in deciding patronage so I urge parents to get involved and have the chance to influence the patronage of this school.

“Dún Laoghaire is growing and thriving thanks to the hard work of Dún Laoghaire Rathdown Chamber, Dún Laoghaire BID, Digital Dún Laoghaire and other local driving forces. This is bringing new people into the area. It is important that the changing demographic is reflected in the patronage of this new school.

Notes:

The school will be established in line with the requirements and criteria for the patronage of new schools. These requirements and criteria are published on the Department of Education’s website.

Parental preferences from parents of children living in the area, along with the extent of diversity in the area, will be key factors in deciding on the patronage of the school. As part of the process, parents have an opportunity to express their preference for their preferred patron body and also to express their preference for their child to be educated through the medium of Irish or of English.