PROCESS OF DIVESTING PATRONAGE IN GALWAY SCHOOLS GETS UNDERWAY

Date Published: 20-Jun-2012

Education Minister Ruairi Quinn says the process of divesting patronage of Catholic schools in 44 areas of the country is to begin immediately.

Parents from Tuam and Ballinasloe will take part in surveys this Autumn on the type of primary school they want their children to go to.

It follows the publication of a report from the Forum on Patronage and Pluralism in April – which recommended that the Catholic Church should hand over control of schools in some parts of the country.

It also recommended that faith formation – such as Communion and Confirmation – should be taught outside of school hours.

Speaking today, Minister Quinn said he broadly accepted the findings of the report – and he said divestment is needed to reflect Ireland’s more diverse population