E D U C AT I O N S E C R E TA R I AT
The Future Provision of Education in schools for which the
Archdiocese of Dublin has responsibility
and
The possible reconfiguration of schools that may result in proposals
for the opening, closure or amalgamation of schools
25 Meitheamh, 2014
Dia Dhaoibh go léir. My name is Anne McDonagh. I am the Director of the Education Secretariat of the
Archdiocese of Dublin, the office which manages the educational responsibilities of the
Archbishop. I have been asked to talk to you about the future provision of education in schools
for which the Archdiocese of Dublin has responsibility and the possible reconfiguration of
schools that may result in proposals for the opening, closure or amalgamation of schools.
Today we are discussing schools at primary level. Some key facts at the outset are that:

This is an historic time in education in Dublin and the surrounding counties. The educational
specialists in the Diocesan Education Secretariat are leading significant change.

The Archdiocese of Dublin is making important progress on the amalgamation of girls’ and
boys’ national schools into co-educational Catholic schools.

Co-education in schools has been mandated by the State since the 1980’s.

Five amalgamations have been completed involving 10 schools over the past 2 years. At
present 15 schools are involved in negotiations which could lead to 9 new schools being
established.

Where Catholic schools have amalgamated, they have adapted incredibly well, despite the huge
change involved. Enormous credit is due to the pupils, parents and staff for their commitment.

The Archdiocese of Dublin is committed to pluralism in educational provision.
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For well over a century the Archdiocese of Dublin has been involved in primary education. A
number of schools that were set up 150 years ago are still in existence. In its role as Patron of
schools, the Archdiocese has an obligation to plan for, evaluate and review, on an ongoing basis, its provision of schools. It is not the responsibility of the Church to be a provider of
education for all children but the Church, as part of its mission, is committed to providing
Catholic education for those parents who want it for their children.
So, we have embarked on an ongoing, systematic reorganisation of the 466 primary schools in
the Archdiocese of Dublin. In reviewing the provision of Catholic education in any particular
parish, reorganisation or amalgamation of existing schools under Catholic Patronage might be
appropriate for any of the following considerations:
Demographics: The recent census shows a population decline in a number of areas in the
Archdiocese which is clearly evident in the falling enrolment in schools in those areas. Schools,
which traditionally were very large, now have empty classrooms. These large buildings still need
to be maintained, insured, repaired, heated and cleaned.
Education: It is not good for the dynamics of a school or for staff morale to see pupil
numbers dwindling and classrooms emptying year by year.
Co-education: There are schools which have co-education from Infants up to First Class but
where the boys subsequently move for Second Class to an All Boys’ Senior School while the
girls remain in an All Girls’ Senior School. An increasing number of these boys’ parents are
requesting that the boys remain with their classmates in their original school. Indeed, there is a
growing demand from parents for co-education.
The Report to the New Schools’
Establishment Group on the surveys regarding parental preferences on primary school
patronage stated that “There was a widespread demand for co-educational schooling across
almost all areas (p.9). It is the policy of the Department of Education and Skills that all new
primary schools are co-educational. All primary schools that have been opened since the 1980s
are co-educational – parents do not get a choice in the matter.
Divesting: There is a need to provide for alternative Patronage. This is not a retreat from the
tradition of providing Catholic education. It is a recognition of the beginnings of a new
presence. Catholic education still has its vital place in our educational system, as something
which brings its unique value system, a value system which is recognised by families of a
variety of religious traditions who opt to send their children to a Catholic school. At the same
time, as Catholic educators, we welcome the fact that there should be other schools which
embrace a different ethos and will contribute, in their way, to the rightful pluralism of
educational provision in today’s Ireland.
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In newly developing areas, the Department of Education and Skills provides for alternative
Patronage by offering new schools to other Patron Bodies. In areas of stable demographics, the
level of demand for change of patronage still has to be fully ascertained. Many parents are anxious
about proposed changes.
While we are confident about the future of Catholic education, pluralism in schooling is something
which the Archdiocese welcomes. However, as Archbishop Martin said:
“pluralism in this regard will have to be measured not just in the provision of schools, but in an
outcome in which every school, whatever its Patronage, becomes a place of welcome for the
deprived, the marginalized and those with educational challenges. Pluralism should not give rise to
elitism or social division”.
Finance: Schools that are losing numbers are experiencing financial difficulty. During the last
two financial years some schools have been spending from their reserves. A number of schools
have come to the Patron in distress because they have run out of money. From our research, it
appears that in two years’ time a significant percentage of schools may not be able to exist
financially, based on current Departmental funding.
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Process of Reorganisation
There are two forms of amalgamation of schools, one which arises from a perceived need
at local level and one where the proposal to reorganise schools comes from the Diocese or
from Trustees, for any of the reasons mentioned above.
There is a sequence of steps which ordinarily takes place. As a first step, discussions take
place with the Trustees of the schools involved in order to explore the idea. The next step in the
process involves the Chairpersons of the Boards of Management and the Principals of the
schools. Research is done on aspects of the schools, to include pupil numbers over a period
of years, future demographic projections for the area, educational viability, accommodation and
consequent financial sustainability. If there is a viable proposal it is then brought to the
Boards of Management for consultation, Boards of Management which are made up of all of
the stakeholders of the school community: nominees of the parents, of the teachers, of the
local community and of the Patron. Following agreement among the Boards of Management it is
then brought to the staff of the schools and to the parent body for consultation.
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Employment Issues
There is agreement between unions and management about teacher employment – no teacher
loses his or her job. Legislation governs the deployment of the other staff of the school. We
have a project team of ten retired principal teachers and department inspectors who are called
in to work as facilitators with schools during an amalgamation, people whose expertise is
available and called upon by school communities.
Experience to Date
Successful reorganisations are those where all of the stakeholders contribute to and respect the
process.
It has happened that the process has been frustrated where information was
disclosed at an inappropriate stage. In a small number of cases staff do not see the need to
address the situation and have on occasion, because of their fear of change, engaged in
misinformation causing parents to believe that any change would worsen conditions for pupils
and staff. This has caused unnecessary distress to communities where they have received
incorrect information. In our experience where there is willingness on the part of the Principal
and teachers to engage with the process other stakeholders are reassured and support the
proposed reorganisation.
It is understandable, in a number of cases, that staff might be opposed to the reorganisation of
schools as this has occasioned a loss of resources, ancillary staff and grants to some schools.
The officials of Department of Education and Skills are working hard with us to address this
matter. Discussions are ongoing in order to resolve this issue and it is hoped that there will be
some progress to report in the near future.
If there is disagreement among the stakeholders regarding the reorganisation of the schools, the issue
reverts to the Boards of Management and then to the Patron for resolution. The decision to
reorganise or amalgamate a school rests with the Patron. It is then proposed to the Minister
for Education and Skills for approval.
The Patron has a responsibility to manage schools
effectively. It is a complex process.
Most amalgamations are managed very successfully and result in new dynamic schools. Over
the last two years ten schools were reorganised with great success. The Patron seeks to effect
all restructuring as collaboratively as possible, with a view to achieving the best outcome and
causing as little disturbance as is feasible to any community because the vision which drives
this plan for the reorganisation of schools is the greater good of all of the pupils, their parents and
teachers.
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Final Word
 The Archdiocese of Dublin is committed to providing Catholic schools for those
parents who want a Catholic education for their children
 The Archdiocese of Dublin supports a plurality of patronage.
 Amalgamation of schools in areas of declining pupil numbers will ensure the survival
of vibrant Catholics schools into the future.
 Amalgamation of schools will provide the option of co-education for parents and their
children in Irish education into the future.
 This re-imagining of education provision in Ireland requires the support of parents,
teachers, communities and local and national representatives if it is to be
successful.
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