CLARIFICATION SOUGHT ON PATRONAGE FOR KNOCKNACARRA SCHOOL

Date Published: 05-Apr-2012

The Department of Education has postponed final approval for patronage on a controversial new primary school for the city.

Minister for Education and skills Ruairí Quinn has already sanctioned a second Irish school for Knocknacarra but is seeking clarification on VEC school patronage.

The Irish Times reports that concern has been raised after Colaiste na Coiribe issued a letter promising that all students who attended the new school would have 'automatic transfer rights to the secondary school'.

A spokesperson for Colaiste na Coiribe said the letter was issued by the secondary school and not by the VEC and was based on application addresses recorded for future years.

The growing suburb of Knocknaccara already has two primary schools- Gaelscoil Mhic Amhlaigh and St John the apostle.

Senator Fidelma Healy Eames has questioned the need for a new schoolS, as schools in the west side of the city currently have capacity for 225 extra pupils.