Deputy Crowe supports multi-denominational school for Portobello

Sinn Féin’s Education Spokesperson Seán Crowe has expressed his support for the efforts of the Portobello Educate Together multi-denominational school start-up group who are working to secure a new multi-denominational school their locality.

Deputy Crowe has written to Education Minister Ruairí Quinn in support of the proposal:

Deputy Crowe said: “The report of the Advisory Group to the Forum on Patronage and Pluralism has made a number of recommendations including divesting patronage in areas of stable population which they recommend should begin immediately.

“The Advisory Group Report recommends that where there is evidence of a significant demand for a new school type then the Department of Education should make a building available as soon as possible.

“There is general agreement from the Group that additional surveys are not required to justify the construction of a new multi-denominational school in the area.

“If this is not possible, and a survey must be conducted  before progressing to the divestment/patronage stage, then the Portobello Group should be one of the first five pilot areas to be surveyed. The survey should include the areas of Dublin 6W and Dublin 12 along with Dublin 6 and Dublin 8.

“I fully support the efforts of the Portobello group and their demand for a different type of school that can meet the diverse background of children and their families from these areas of Dublin.”