Minister of Education Batt O’Keeffe has defended the existence of religious schools, saying that schools with a Christian tradition had played “an outstanding part” in Irish education.
Referring to calls to nationalise the school system, he said it was not within his remit to decide if religious organisations should be driven from schools.
Speaking in Limerick onn Friday at Our Lady Queen of Peace School in Janesboro, Mr O’Keeffe said the prospect of removing all religious influences from schools is “not within my remit, nor indeed within my thought”.
“The Catholic Church and the Christian tradition has played an outstanding part in the education of all our children through the years. I think we should be maintaining that ethos and that tradition.
“It is not my intention to lose the outstanding nature of that tradition,” said the Minister to applause from pupils, parents teachers and members of the Presentation Order.
A number of groups, including the Irish Primary Principals Network (IPPN), have suggested replacing Catholic patronage of schools, and transferring control of schools to the State.