In the Irish Press: Multi-denominational Schools

May 8, 2003

Hundreds 'being left in limbo' on school places

HUNDREDS of children and their parents have been left in limbo by Education Minister Noel Dempsey's failure to decide whether to recognise new schools, campaigners said yesterday.

Educate Together, which has submitted applications for six new multi-denominational primary schools, said it is unable to proceed with appointing principals or teachers because of the delay in deciding whether to give the green light. The minister is considering applications from 12 proposed new schools.

ET spokeswoman Jane McCarthy said Mr Dempsey gave a public commitment to inform applicants of his decisions by April 30. But they had not even been given a revised date. Hundreds of children did not know where they would go to school in September. A ministry spokesman said the new schools advisory committee had furnished a report to Mr Dempsey on the applications but a number of issues had arisen and the minister was seeking clarification. The department could not say when a decision would be made known.

Marese McDonagh

© Irish Independent