A review into the patronage of primary schools in the Irish education system is to go ahead, it has been confirmed.

Minister for education and skills Ruairi Quinn has announced that the Forum on Patronage and Pluralism in the Primary Sector, which will look at the management and patronage of schools, will be launched before Easter (April 25th 2011) .

It will involve an advisory group informing the minister on how to make primary schools more diverse, so that they cater for a variety of religions and what the practicalities of divesting patronage are.

Mr Quinn said the review will "take a multi-dimensional approach involving consultations with the key education stakeholders, including parents".

He went on to say the study will "provide a platform for … an essential debate within the education agenda".

The forum will also look at the willingness of the Roman Catholic Church to divest patronage and the financial restrictions for the government on the education system.

Mr Quinn previously said the state has to ensure that schools "reflect the diversity of our modern society".

Written by Donal Walsh  

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