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Diarmuid Martin called for a new working relationship between the church and State on the matter

Archbishop accuses politicians over patronage

The Catholic Archbishop of Dublin has said local politicians, including Labour party politicians, are opposing attempts by the church to reduce its patronage of primary schools in local areas in favour of a more diverse provision.

News • 30 Apr 14

Ruairi Quinn said he would like to see four or five schools transfer patronage this year

Quinn seeks progress on school patronage transfers

Minister for Education Ruairi Quinn has said efforts need to be intensified to divest primary schools of Catholic Church patronage.

News • 10 Feb 14

Four new primary schools will be in Dublin, Cork and Galway

Applications sought for four new primary schools

Minister for Education Ruairi Quinn has invited patronage bodies invited to apply to run four new primary schools due to open in September of next year.

News • 22 Apr 13

Survey measures demand for school diversity

Almost 2,000 parents have participated in a Department of Education survey to measure demand for new kinds of primary schools in five towns and areas around the country.

News • 14 Nov 12

Parents surveyed over primary school patronage

Parents of young children in five towns and areas around the country have been asked to complete an online survey on the kind of Primary school they would like them to attend.

Special Reports • 09 Nov 12

School divesting process to begin 'immediately'

Minister for Education Ruairi Quinn has said his Department is to immediately begin a process which could lead to the divestment of up to 50 Catholic primary schools in 44 areas around the country.

News • 20 Jun 12

Red C survey carried out for the Irish Primary Principals' Network

27% would chose church-run schools - survey

A Red C survey has indicated that 27% of parents of under-16s would opt to send their children to a church-owned primary school.

News • 01 May 12

Catholic association welcomes religion rule report

The Catholic School Partnership has broadly welcomed a report on the future of primary education, which calls for a review of a rule which obliges national schools to place religion at the heart of all their activities.

News • 10 Apr 12

Patronage