Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 7 October 2020
121. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Education if she has had regard to concerns raised by the Ombudsman for Children in the area the option for children to opt out of religious teaching. [28977/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has had previous communication with the office of the Children’s Ombudsman in respect of concerns in relation to opting out of religious instruction in schools.
My Department confirmed to the Ombudsman, that under Article 44 of the Constitution and Section 30 of the Education Act, 1998, parents have a right to have their children opt out of religious instruction or religious education classes if they so wish. It is expected that this right will be upheld by schools on foot of a parental request.
Under the provisions of the Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018, all schools are required to have drafted new admissions policies, for Patron approval before the 15 September 2020, and publication by the end of September 2020. The act requires where schools provide religious instruction that they clearly set out in their admission policies the school’s arrangements for students, where the parent or in the case of a student who has reached the age of 18 years, the student, has requested that the student attend the school without attending religious instruction in the school.
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 right of parents to have their child opt out of religion instruction and worship applies in all schools regardless of the denomination or ethos of the school concerned.
