Patronage survey for four other new primary schools to be established in 2020 extended until January 12th

The Minister for Education and Skills Joe McHugh T.D. today (20th December) announced that a new primary school will be established in 2020 in Rathcoole, Co Dublin.

The new school for Rathcoole will be the 45th new school to be established between 2019 and 2022 to cater for demographic growth and follows an initial review of oncoming demand in this area as part of the Department’s nationwide demographic review process for primary level provision.

Minister McHugh said: “Rathcoole is an area of growing demographic demand with additional residential development planned for the coming years.

“It is important that we cater for this increased demand in Dublin West and I am pleased to announce today that an 8 classroom school will open in 2020 in the area.”

This new school is in addition to the four other primary schools scheduled to open in 2020, including a new gaelscoil in the Saggart/Citywest area.

Mothers, fathers and guardians of children in the Newcastle/Rathcoole area who are due to enrol in primary school from 2020-2024 are being invited to complete an online survey to express their preference for the patron of the new school. The survey will be available at https://patronage.education.gov.ie and will remain open until mid-night on the 26th January.

The Minister urged parents and guardians to give their views on patronage and language of the new school in Rathcoole that will be established next year.

Inviting people to take part in the online survey, Minister McHugh said: “It is a great opportunity for mothers and fathers and guardians to help to shape the education of the future. I urge as many people as possible who live in the area and have children going to primary school in the next few years to make their voices heard.”

The Minister said: “I am conscious that the existing schools in Rathcoole are operating at capacity. In relation to the accommodation provision for Gaelscoil Chrónáin, my Department is currently acquiring additional land plots from South Dublin County Council that adjoin the Minister owned site at Gaelscoil Chrónáin. This additional land will offer the opportunity to address the accommodation requirements for Gaelscoil Chrónáin.”

The online survey for four other primary schools scheduled to open in 2020 has been open for parental preferences since 28th November. The closing date for these surveys is being extended to mid-night on the 12th January 2020.

The patronage process for new schools is overseen by the independent New Schools Establishment Group (NSEG).

This group, which was set up in 2011 to advise the Minister on the patronage of new schools, will analyse the report on the online surveys and consider other criteria before issuing a recommendation.

Source: education.ie

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