Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 June 2016
30. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he is satisfied with the practice in schools where a child's parents or a young person over 18 years of age can opt out of religious instruction; if he will issue guidelines to ensure this right is vindicated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18287/16]
View answerUnder the Constitution and in accordance with Section 30 of the Education Act 1998, parents have a right to have their children opt out of religion classes if they so wish.
The manner in which any school ensures that the right to opt out of religion classes is upheld is a matter for the school concerned. Each individual school must determine the particular arrangements which are most appropriate in its individual circumstances having regard to local issues such as available space, supervision requirements and how the school concerned organises classes etc.
The follow-up paper to the Report of Forum on Patronage and Pluralism in the Primary Sector which was published in 2014 outlines good practice and options for promoting diversity in all schools. The paper gives an overview of different types of arrangements that schools have put in place to facilitate those pupils who wish to opt-out of religious education.
The paper encourages school authorities to consider their policies and practices and to review whether they are taking the steps necessary to welcome all pupils and make them feel included.
I understand that in the case of Catholic schools, the Catholic Schools Partnership subsequently published guidelines for Catholic schools in relation to the inclusion of all pupils and that this also contains suggestions on how such schools can manage the "opt-out" of religious education.
I also believe that difficulties could be avoided if, from the outset, a school's arrangements for those students who do not wish to attend religious instruction are made clear to parents. In that regard, the Programme for Government contains a commitment to publish new school admissions legislation taking into account current draft proposals. The previously published Admissions to School Bill included a specific requirement that school enrolment policies must include details of the school's arrangements for any students who do not wish to attend religious instruction. I believe this is an important measure which will help ensure and transparency from the outset as to how a school will uphold the rights of parents in this regard. It is my intention to retain this measure in the new legislative proposals.
I have commenced a process of consultation with opposition parties to discuss my proposals to introduce a new Admissions Bill. Following these consultations, it is my intention to publish a new Admissions Bill during the current Dáil session.
