Jonathan O'Brien
Question:160. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills her Department's policy on children participating in religious ceremonies, such as confirmations, during school hours. [42296/14]
View answerWednesday, 5 November 2014
Questions (160)
Written answers
Provision is made for the inclusion of religious education on the curriculum for primary schools. Thirty minutes of the standard school day of five hours and forty minutes is allocated for this purpose. It is the case that the vast majority of primary schools are Catholic in ethos and accordingly preparation for catholic sacraments forms part of the religious education curricula in such schools. However, parents also have the right, if so desired, to ensure that their children do not receive religious instruction. The Deputy will be aware that the Government gave approval in March of this year for drafting the Education (Admissions to Schools) Bill 2014 and the General Scheme has since been referred to the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel to the Government for drafting. Under the proposed legislation, schools will be required to publish an enrolment policy which will include details of the school's arrangements for students who do not want to attend religious instruction.