Moynihan seeks identity of Ballincollig school patron
A NEW school is due to open in Ballincollig in September but parents are concerned by what they consider to be a lack of certainty and progress as to what group will be the school’s patron, Fianna Fáil Deputy Aindreas Moynihan told the Dáil.
In recognition of population growth in Ballincollig in recent years, a new school was announced in November 2015, he said. In September 2015, 448 children enrolled in the town’s schools, one of which accepted 94 children and refused almost as many again.
“Despite this, the next step in the process was not taken until one year later, in November 2016, when expressions of interest were invited to potential patrons,” he said. Three patron groups submitted applications by 6 January 2017 and the new school establishment group has been reviewing these submissions in the intervening months.”
One month later, a decision has not been made and the school is due to open in less than five months, he said. A great deal of work must be done before September. Staff must be hired and an open and transparent hiring process will add a number of weeks to the process. The building must be finished and enrolments taken, which mean the timetable is very tight.
In reply, Education Minister Richard Bruton said under the procedure operated within his Department, when it is identified that there is a demographic need, the Department runs a patronage process to decide who will operate the school.
“The criteria used in respect of patronage of the new school place particular emphasis on parental demand for plurality and diversity of patronage, with parental preferences from the area to be served being central to the process,” he said. “In this regard, patrons and prospective patrons must collect and demonstrate evidence of parental demand from the area to be served for the model of provision proposed as part of their application under the process.
“My Department invited applications for the patronage last November and that closed for applications in January. The assessment stage of the process is rigorous and detailed and it has go through all the applications, identify whether they are within the catchment and so on.” MINISTER of State David Stanton revealed to the Dáil that he was a “miracle baby” who had not been expected to survive.
Speaking during a debate on a maternity leave and benefit, he said: “I have a personal interest in this matter because I also was a premature baby and was not supposed to live. I therefore wanted to declare that. In fact, I am told that it was a miracle I survived.”
He said that in the late 1950s his parents went through a time wondering whether or not he would survive. “I heard the stories that were told and I know it affects many people on all sides,” he said.
“The Government is acutely aware of the different pressures that families with pre-term babies face and believes that the State can and should support families at a time when the pressures of nurturing a new life can be daunting and stressful,” he said.
“The Government also believes in investing in a child’s critical early years. We all know how important and life-defining these are, and this is why investment in early years is a recurring theme in the current A Programme for a Partnership Government. It is also a theme echoed by colleagues on all sides of the House.”
Studies have shown, he said, that the first years of life, particularly the first three years, are crucial to a child’s lifelong growth and development, and further research shows that children benefit most from parental care in the first year. “We owe it to our children to give them the best start in life, and enabling them to be cherished and nurtured by their parents for as long as possible will provide a vital foundation for their future lives,” he added. Ireland could face a 30% decline in exports to the UK and a significant rise in unemployment.
“We all agree the agri-food industry is the most significant industry, employing people right across the country,” he continued. “Exports will be impacted upon, as will trade between North and South. Over 800 million litres of milk are imported from the North annually and we export and import thousands of cattle to the North. All of these statistics are impacting on consumer confidence as the British are already talking up trade deals between the US, Canada and South American countries.”
“How can he say we are prepared, particularly in regard to agri-food industry, when Bord Bia, the agency charged by the State and the Government with selling our industry, has only employed an extra three staff in its Brexit section,” he asked.
Responding on behalf of the Taoiseach, Education Minister Richard Bruton said there are threats to some sectors and opportunities in others. “We have revised our trade strategy and job strategy and we have strengthened all of the agencies so they will be in a position to assist companies to diversify, train, adopt lean mechanisms, be more competitive in their markets and trade online.
“Many changes are being supported by our agencies to ensure companies are in a position to compete.”
The Minister added that Ireland has put itself in a very strong position, both with regard to influence with key European partners among the 27, with Commissioner Michel Barnier and the negotiating team and, indeed, with the British.