Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 6 February 2014
67. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding the religious ethos in schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6057/14]
View answerReligious education is one of the seven curricular areas of the Primary Curriculum and schools are currently required to allocate thirty minutes per day for religious education. There are no plans to alter the amount of time allocated to the teaching of religion in primary schools. However, we must respond to the changes in Irish society and in this context I established the Forum on Patronage and Pluralism to look at how schools can cater for diversity and ensure an inclusive and respectful environment for all their pupils. Work is continuing on the follow-up to the Report of the Advisory Group to the Forum, which contains a wide range of recommendations aimed at ensuring that Irish schools cater for the diversity in society. The Report does not recommend that Holy Communion and Confirmation preparations are removed from the school day. However, the Group had concerns about the amount of time which can end up being devoted to sacramental preparation and they recommend that it should not be allowed to encroach on time allocated for the general curriculum. They also recommend on-going discussion with parents and clergy with regard to the role of the parish in sacramental preparation. As part of my Action Plan in response to the Report of the Advisory Group, I recently conducted a further consultation process to give parents, in particular, an opportunity to give their views on the Group's recommendations on how schools can become more inclusive. In accordance with the Programme for Government commitment, the submissions received, together with the Forum Report findings and recommendations, are now being considered with a view to developing a White Paper outlining Government policy in this area.
