Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 29 May 2014
66. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which he continues to have discussions with representatives of various religious groups in respect of whom commitments in regard to education were made or implied in the past; if he has had satisfactory discussions with the Church of Ireland, Presbyterian or other church representatives in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23621/14]
View answerThrough the partnership arrangements that exist for the education sector, I and senior officials in the Department regularly engage with church representatives particularly in the context of the role of the Churches as patrons of schools. The Church of Ireland representative body in many instances also represents the interest of the minority churches, most recently in relation to discussions concerning the Block Grant.
Structured dialogue with the different Churches and faith traditions takes place with the Taoiseach periodically, and this includes the direct involvement of other Ministers, including myself, as required depending on the items on the agenda of any one meeting.
