The State's first community school at primary level, which will be overseen by a local vocational educational committee (VEC), is to be located in Diswellstown, Co Dublin, Minister for Education Mary Hanafin has announced.
Significantly, the establishment of the school on a pilot basis could eventually lead to a new model for the patronage of primary schools here and a move away from more traditional church-based provision.
The announcement comes amid the growing popularity with parents of multi-denominational coeducational primary schools, such as those provided by Educate Together. It also reflects the continuing fall-off in religious vocations.
However, revealing details of the "additional model" of primary school patronage on a pilot basis, Ms Hanafin stressed that it was not intended to replace the existing models.
According to department figures, there are 3,279 primary schools in the State, of which the vast majority, 3,039, are under Catholic patronage. Some 183 are under Church of Ireland patronage, while 34 are multidenominational.
"The existing models of school patronage will continue as before. However, the proposed model will be an option available where the specific local circumstances warrant the new approach . . . it can happen in a small number of rapidly developing areas that a traditional patron is not available," Ms Hanafin said.
It was her intention to ensure that the school would cater for the diversity of religious faiths represented in the area served by the school.
"Provision will be made within the school setting for the religious, moral and ethical education of children in conformity with the wishes of their parents.
"My department will now begin a process of consultation with the relevant education partners to explore the detailed implementation measures that will need to be put in place prior to the opening of the new school."
The title of the new school, which will be overseen by Co Dublin VEC and is expected to be in operation by September 2008, will be Diswellstown Community National School. Ms Hanafin said she did not intend at this stage to recognise VECs as the patrons of any other primary schools.
Both the INTO and Educate Together last night broadly welcomed the announcement, but stressed that much work remained to be done in relation to the proposed new model.
John Carr, general secretary of the INTO, said we must learn from the experience of other countries.
Paul Rowe, chief executive of Educate Together, added that there was an "ongoing need to deliver a primary education which respects the culture, social and religious background of all families equally".