Buncrana has been chosen as one of 44 pilot areas in which the process of divesting patronage of schools in 44 areas of the country is to get underway.
The Education Minister Ruairi Quinn has announced that ads will be placed by the end of June in these areas – inviting submissions of interest for patronage – from organisations such as Educate Together or Irish language schools.
It follows the publication of a report from the Forum on Patronage and Pluralism in April – which recommended that the Catholic Church should hand over control of schools in some parts of the country.
It also recommended that faith formation – such as Communion and Confirmation – should be taught outside of school hours.
Speaking today, Minister Quinn said he broadly accepted the findings of the report – and he said divestment is needed to reflect Ireland’s more diverse population…………
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