The secular Educate Together and the State-run Education and Training Boards (ETBs) have been awarded the patronage of six new secondary schools that are to be established in the greater Dublin area next year.
The patronage process was based on an online vote by parents earlier this year and was overseen by an independent advisory group to the Minister for Education.
The selection process for school patrons has, however, drawn sharp criticism from the largest patron body for Irish-language secondary schools, An Foras Pátrúnachta, which said it was “biased” against them.
Caoimhín Ó hEaghra, general secretary of An Foras Pátrúnachta, said the fact that no Irish-medium patron was chosen showed the need for a “new process for establishing new schools”.
Controversy arose also regarding a 1,000-pupil secondary school at the former Harold’s Cross greyhound stadium in Dublin 6. Complaints have been made over the catchment area for the secondary school, which will prioritise students in the Dublin 6/6W area but not students in the neighbouring Dublin 8 and Dublin 12 districts.
