Educate Together today addressed Oireachtas members in the AV Room of Leinster House, urging the Government to act to ensure that the Schools Reconfiguration for Diversity initiative delivers real choice for families across Ireland.
The event, which was hosted by Jen Cummins TD (Social Democrats) and attended by TDs and Senators from across the political spectrum, brought public representatives together to hear directly about the urgent need for progress. The briefing featured powerful contributions from Sarah Gillanders, a parent who is seeking access to places in an Educate Together school, and Éadaoin Kelly, Principal of Paradise Place Educate Together National School, which successfully transferred to Educate Together patronage in 2024. 
Educate Together, Ireland’s largest multi-denominational school patron, has opened 50 schools since 2013 in response to parental demand. However, with no new schools currently planned, the organisation says that reconfiguration presents a new opportunity to increase choice.
“Demand for Educate Together schools continues to grow across the country, but 90% of primary schools remain under Catholic patronage. The successful transition of the first Catholic school to Educate Together opens up a pathway for others to follow, and there is broad support now for reconfiguration. We are calling on the new Government to proceed with the promised national survey of parents, and to support school communities that decide to transfer, so that more families can access this popular option” – Emer Nowlan, CEO, Educate Together
At the recent INTO Congress in Galway, primary teachers voted for the acceleration of patronage transfers. Catholic authorities have also expressed support for the divestment of schools in recent years, and a three-year research project published by the Global Researchers Advancing Catholic Education (GRACE) group last year included accelerating divestment as one of its recommendations. The Programme for Government includes an objective to increase choice for parents, but achieving this will require leadership, clear targets, and accountability.
One of the speakers, Sarah Gillanders, shared her experience as a non-religious parent seeking inclusive education for her young children:
“I shouldn’t have to move house to give my children a shot at inclusive education but that’s exactly what we’ve done. There are seven primary schools in my area, and all are under Catholic patronage. Opting out is not a real solution. Like so many parents, I just want my children to go to a school that respects their beliefs equally. The Government’s own targets are miles behind reality. It’s time to ask parents what they want and hold someone accountable for delivering it.”
The event also heard from Éadaoin Kelly, Principal of Paradise Place Educate Together National School (formerly St Mary’s Primary School), which became the first school to transfer patronage to Educate Together under the Government’s Reconfiguration for Diversity process in 2024. Educate Together is supporting Paradise Pace ETNS through a two-year transition process which recognises the school’s history and place at the centre of its community, and supports the adoption of the Learn Together curriculum and the Educate Together ethos. Eadaoin spoke about her school community’s motivation for deciding to change patron, and their positive experience of reconfiguration:
“Through the reconfiguration process, our school community recognised that equality-based patronage is the best fit for the diverse families we serve. We made the decision as a school community, everyone had a voice, and the choice to transfer to Educate Together reflected who we already were. At the heart of it, children are children, parents are parents, and teachers are teachers – none of that changes. We will continue our inclusive, restorative and supportive practice as an Educate Together school and look forward to sharing and learning with and from other schools in the network.”
The intention to survey parents nationally was first announced by Minister Norma Foley in December 2023. New Minister Helen McEntee has confirmed that she intends to go ahead with the survey and announce a plan to increase choice ‘shortly.’ Sarah’s twins have just turned one year old. For her and for other parents who don’t currently have access to Educate Together schools, this needs to proceed urgently.
“It was a privilege to meet with Educate Together in the AV Room today. Our conversation reinforced why this motion matters; we need real action to expand multi-denominational education, end faith formation during the school day, and give every family genuine choice. An inclusive, modern school system isn’t a radical idea, it’s long overdue” – Jen Cummins TD, Social Democrats.
