Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 10 June 2015
30. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will review the position of religious orders in the provision of education in view of the strong support for marriage equality for same-sex couples in the recent referendum; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22024/15]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the Programme for Government included a commitment to establish a Forum on Patronage and Pluralism in the primary school sector. This recognised the changing nature and increased diversity of Irish society. The Forum issued its report in 2012 and made a series of recommendations in relation to the patronage of schools, including those schools where religious orders are involved in the provision of education, as well as schools under other forms of religious or denominational patronage. This includes a process of divesting patronage of existing schools, where there is demonstrated demand for alternative patronage types. The result of the referendum on marriage equality is another indicator of a changing society. The implementation of the recommendations of the Forum to ensure greater diversity of patronage and choice of school types to respond to these changes will continue.
