Minister for Education Norma Foley has announced the patronage of the four new post-primary schools to be established in 2021.
In all cases, the minister accepted the recommendations of the New Schools Establishment Group (NSEG).
Le Chéile Schools Trust will operate the new secondary school in Ballincollig, Cork, while Education Together will be the patron body for the planned new school in the Booterstown-Blackrock-Dún Laoghaire area of south Dublin.
Educate Together will also run the new secondary school in Gorey, Co Wexford, while Louth and Meath Education and Training Board (LMETB) is taking control of the school in Dunshaughlin, Co Meath.
Sites have been secured for the schools in Gorey and Ballincollig.
In relation to the school for Dunshaughlin, the potential to locate the new school on lands currently being acquired by the minister is being explored.
In Booterstown-Blackrock-Dún Laoghaire, the Department has acquired a site for this school at Newtownpark Avenue, Blackrock, Co Dublin.
The four new post-primary schools being established in 2021 will provide significant additional places to local communities and between them will have capacity to cater for more than 2,700 students when fully developed.
Minister Foley said: "Parental preference is a key factor in deciding the patronage of new schools and I’m delighted that despite the ongoing Covid-19 situation, engagement levels from parents for this patronage process is generally in line with engagement levels in previous patronage processes.
"The views of parents as expressed through the process are reflected in the decisions I have made on the patronage of these four new schools."
Today's announcement forms an essential part of plans to ensure that sufficient new school places are available to cater for the growing numbers of pupils at post-primary level over the coming years.
This NSEG was set up in 2011 to advise the minister on the patronage of new schools following its consideration of a report prepared by the Department on the applications received.
