The Minister for Education's announcement that his department was seeking to cut the number of Catholic primary schools has drawn a mixed reaction from Opposition parties.
Batt O'Keeffe said it was planned an initial list of 10 urban areas would be used to test ways in which the number of Catholic places and schools will be reduced and released for others in light of falling demand for those schools.
Speaking at the annual general meeting of the Catholic Primary Schools Management Association today, Mr O'Keeffe also raised other possible reforms of the primary school network, including ending the tradition of teaching principals.
However, Fine Gael education spokesman Brian Hayes said the Minister had failed to produce a coherent plan for schools supported by parents.
“How are these 10 areas to be selected? How are parents within these areas going to have their voices heard in this debate? If the Catholic Church is divested from some of the schools within these areas, what new model of ownership is being put forward?” he said.
“The big question that all of the partners in education want answered is, if the existing patronage model changes, what will be put in its place?”
Labour spokesman Ruairí Quinn welcomed the Minister's announcement but warned against cherry-picking schools in the process. "I hope that this move is an indication that the Government is at least beginning to accept that there is now a compelling case for moving towards a new system of patronage that takes account of changing views in regard to religion and education.
"It is also important that the proposed areas should be selected on a fair basis, representing a cross section of Irish society, and that there should be no question of 'cherry-picking' schools in areas of higher income."
“The system of patronage that evolved when 95 per cent of our population were practising Catholics is no longer appropriate . . . the answer to this problem is the orderly transfer of Catholic patronage of some primary schools to other patron bodies under supervision of the Department of Education and Science," Mr Quinn said.
He added: "It also clear that many Catholic priests, who currently act as school managers, would welcome the opportunity to divest themselves of the burden of running primary schools."
Mr O'Keeffe also said this morning there was not a need for any major discussion forum in relation to the changes.
However, the Irish National Teachers' Organisation (INTO) expressed disappointment with the Minister's comments ruling out a discussion forum, a long-standing demand of the union.
"Change of this magnitude needs detailed public debate and consultation," said John Carr, INTO general secretary. “This should be done in public and everyone given a chance to put forward their views and concerns. That is why I have consistently argued for a forum on school governance,” he said.
"At most he [the Minister] is talking about is 20 schools in ten urban areas," said Mr Carr. "Providing for diversity is not just an urban issue. What about the rights of minorities in rural Ireland?"
Mr Carr said Mr O'Keeffe needed to make clear if he was talking about closing schools or transferring patronage. The Minister "appears to be turning his back on an opportunity to shape future school provision in a planned, coherent and transparent way," he added.
Mr O'Keeffe's remarks come in the wake of his announcement last month that up to 52 schools out of more than 1,000 that have applied for building projects will receive funding to go to tender and construction this year.
