Catholic education officials are preparing a major “fact-based” study in response to Government plans to 
significantly reduce the number of Catholic primary schools.
It is believed to be the first such research project of its kind on the subject, and will take into account the wishes of parents, according to a report in the Irish Catholic.
The project has been in preparation for several months and is intended to make clear the views of parents from all over the country on the provision of primary education.
The move comes after a series of initiatives by Minister for Education Ruairi Quinn intended to prepare the way for a transfer of Catholic primary schools to alternative patrons. According to the paper’s report, senior figures within the Church believe that the approach being taken by the Department of Education has not been evidence-based.
The document is the fruit of extensive consultation with those involved in the provision of education as well as parents. It is believed that it will focus on the right of parents to choose how their children are educated.
The report is set to come after it emerged earlier this year that Church leaders were concerned at indications by Mr Quinn that he envisages up to 50 per cent of its primary schools being transferred to other patrons.
Reports suggesting unease among senior Church figures conicided with the announcement that the Minister had selected an advisory panel to run his proposed Forum on Patronage and Pluralism which is due to report by the end of October.
The advisory group is being chaired by John Coolahan, professor emeritus at NUI Maynooth. The other members include Dr Caroline Hussey, former UCD registrar, and Fionnuala Kilfeather, former chief executive of the National Parents Council (primary).
Mr Quinn had said he wanted to see the first of the schools being transferred by next January.
Church sources at the time, however said the Minister was going too far, too fast.
Over 90 per cent of all primary schools are under the patronage of the Church.
While they welcomed the forum, Church sources said it was the Church that first raised the issue of an over-supply of Catholic schools and that they were finalising a lengthy period of consultation on the issue.
The Catholic Schools Partnership, which was established by the Irish Episcopal Conference and the Conference of Religious of Ireland, is to publish a position paper next week.
“It’s not an easy matter to decide which school should close — there are also legal issues involved,” said one source.
The Minister’s forum will look at the practicalities of how transferring or divesting of patronage should operate for individual primary schools in communities where this is appropriate.
They will advise the Minister on how best it can be ensured that the system provides a sufficiently diverse number and range of primary schools catering for all religions and none.
Prof Coolahan said the issue of which schools would be moved from Catholic control could be decided by ballots of parents.