Jim Higgins
Question:93 Mr. Higgins (Mayo) asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will approve a teacher in order to teach the Muslim religion to 13 Muslim children attending two primary schools in Ballyhaunis, County Mayo. [9601/00]
Written Answers. - Religious Instruction.
The rules for national schools provide that where such religious instruction as their parents or guardians approve is not provided in a school for any section of the pupils, such pupils must, should their parents or guardians so desire, be allowed to absent themselves from school, at reasonable times, for the purpose of receiving instruction elsewhere. The periods of formal religious instruction should be fixed so as to facilitate the withdrawal of such pupils.
I recently approved the appointment of a teacher in a temporary capacity shared between the two schools in Ballyhaunis to cater for the needs of non national students with significant English language deficits.
In addition I have approved the appointment of a resource teacher for Traveller children of primary school going age on a temporary basis. This post is also shared between the two schools.
There is no basis, however, on which I can approve the appointment of a teacher to teach the Muslim religion in these schools.