Opinion
15 Feb 18

Education Minister Rejects Claims That He's Failing To Deliver

The government is on track to deliver on its promise of 400 new multi denominational schools, claims a spokesperson for the Department of Education and Skills

In a report yesterday as part of a story on calls to remove the cap on enrolment of Educate Together schools, Fianna Fáil education spokesperson Thomas Byrne TD claimed that the Education Minister Richard Bruton has failed to live up to certain promises.
He stated: "The Programme for Government commits to 400 new multi denominational schools. The reality of delivery is far different. Minister Bruton has effectively delivered nothing so far in his term, with even the Schools Admissions Bill languishing due to Government inaction and these schools told to only half-operate."
But a Department of Education and Skills spokesperson has now rejected this claim, telling Hot Press: "This Government are (sic) committed to delivering on our Programme for Government commitment to reach 400 multi-denominational and non-denominational schools by 2030."

Statement on situation in a number of @EducateTogether schools @fiannafailparty pic.twitter.com/cvzEnHw2rh

— Thomas Byrne (@ThomasByrneTD) February 13, 2018

The spokesperson added: "Minister Bruton announced plans to accelerate the provision of multi-denominational schools last year, learning from the failures of the previous process."

The Government needs to back @EducateTogether schools when it comes to enrolment. - @AodhanORiordain #LetOurSchoolsGrow pic.twitter.com/wrsXAbnPGA

— The Labour Party (@labour) February 14, 2018

In our report yesterday, we told how Labour Party's spokesperson on education, Aodhán Ó Ríordáin had issued an "urgent call" to the Minister for Education to remove the cap on enrolment of Educate Together schools.
Senator Ó Ríordáin said: “Reports from around the country about the Department of Education and Skills’ insistence on putting an enrolment cap on Educate Together schools is deeply concerning.

“Under Labour in Government, the number of Educate Together schools at both primary and secondary level expanded rapidly throughout the country.

“The success of our initiative has been shown in many school communities where many of these schools are struggling to cater for demand."

He added: “The Minister for Education therefore must explain why out of the blue that his Department have decided to place an enrolment cap on one particular type of primary school.

“This decision gives credence to the suspicion that the Department of Education has a bias against multi-denominational education, as so many Educate Together campaigns have halted since Labour left Government.

“The Minister for Education must now move to remove the enrolment cap on Educate Together schools in New Ross, Tramore, Trim, Castlebar, and Tuam."

Reverse the decision to enforce a half class intake rule for #EducateTogether schools in #Tramore #Trim #NewRoss #Castlebar #equality @RichardbrutonTD https://t.co/iMUQ20aF9f via @UpliftIRL

— Dudley Colley (@thecorpo) February 14, 2018

With regards this cap story, a Department of Education and Skills spokesperson said: "The five schools referred to in recent reports, opened under the previous patronage divestment process which was put in place by the previous Minister, Ruairi Quinn.

"Following parental surveys, sufficient demand was identified in 2012/13 in 28 areas, including in the 5 areas referenced, for a multi-denotational school.

"The five schools concerned - Tramore ETNS, New Ross ETNS, Trim ETNS, Tuam ETNS and Castlebar ETNS – had a half stream of junior infants or less in their initial year of opening.
"In some cases, this was because the physical accommodation which the new school was occupying could not accommodate higher numbers.
"This arrangement has been reflected in the Department’s engagement with the patron of the schools, Educate Together, and was reiterated in correspondence and communications with these schools concerned.
"A case has been submitted by Educate Together to the Department to further expand these schools and this is currently being considered."

Where a School is established by the Department, it should never be done in a half hearted way; establishment of new half stream schools should be completely ruled out....

— Thomas Byrne (@ThomasByrneTD) February 13, 2018

On school admissions, the Department of Education and Skills spokesperson insisted:"Minister Bruton published the Education (Admission to Schools) Bill last year. This legislation is a significant public service reform designed to make it easier for parents to more easily access local schools and to enroll their children in a school that meets their needs.
"Last January, Minister Bruton said that it was unfair that preference is given by publicly-funded religious schools to children of their own religion who might live some distance away, ahead of children of a different religion or of no religion who live close to the school.
"The Minister also stated his belief that it is unfair that parents, who might otherwise not do so, feel pressure to baptise their children in order to gain admission to the local school.
"The admissions bill brought forward previously was silent on the use of religion in the admissions process.
"The Minister held a consultation on religion in the admissions process as the he wanted to hear the views of the groups who stand to be impacted by the options proposed as well as any members of the public with views on the issue.
"This was followed by a Forum on the issue in May. The Minister announced his preferred option in late June 2017 .
"His proposal represents the best way of balancing the rights and interests of the three groups who have a stake in this: Catholic families, families of minority religion and non-religious families.
"Officials from the Department of Education and Skills have been engaging with the Office of the Attorney General in relation to a number of amendments proposed for Report Stage of the Bill.
"The engagement on the proposals has been positive and the drafting of amendments is nearing conclusion.
"It is important that the amendments which the Minister introduces are constitutionally robust."