Eithne Woulfe ssl, and Canice Hanrahan rsm are Co-Directors of CORI Education.

Sr. Eithne is mainly concerned with education in Northern Ireland and the Strategic Task Group on Education and Sr. Canice with education in the Republic.

CORI Education continues the on-going work by the Strategic Task Group on Education (STGE -  A Joint Task Group with the Bishops) to forward the establishment of a Catholic Education Service.

The first element of the Service i.e. Catholic Schools Partnership has been established since September with Fr. Michael Drumm as Executive Chair.

The Joint Managerial Body (JMB), the Association of Trusteeship of Catholic Secondary Schools (ATCSS) and CORI Education are involved in delivering a number of training workshops for new Boards of Management throughout the country.

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SUBMISSION ON THE REVIEW OF

THE PROCESS FOR RECOGNISING NEW PRIMARY SCHOOLS

On behalf of CORI

THE CONFERENCE OF RELIGIOUS OF IRELAND

1.00.  INTRODUCTION

1.01. This Submission is made on behalf of CORI

1.02. Over 300 of the 3282 primary schools in Ireland are in the trusteeship of religious congregations in the membership of CORI and under the patronage of the Catholic Bishops. All boards and individual members of boards of management of these and all Catholic primary schools are members of the Catholic Primary School Management Association (CPSMA), a recognized school management body. 

1.03. The Episcopal Commission for Education articulates policy and vision for Catholic Education in Ireland on behalf of the Episcopal Conference. It has responsibility for the forward planning necessary to ensure the best provision for Catholic Education in the country.

1.04. CORI supports the Catholic Church’s commitment to continuing its involvement in primary education in accordance with the wishes of Catholic parents.  It is acknowledged that there is also a need for other forms of patronage in a diverse society. 

1.05. As this submission is about future provision it is particularly important to stress that all patron bodies will be afforded demonstrably equal access to that role where appropriate and without discrimination.