A Department of Education survey determining the kind of primary schools parents want for their children closed on Tuesday night with over 230,000, or 47pc of eligible households, having filled out the questionnaire.

The survey – the largest of its kind ever undertaken in Ireland – was school-specific and assessed parental preference regarding patronage/ethos, co-education or single-sex schools, and language of instruction (English or Irish). It may lead to more divestment of Catholic schools.

Parents and guardians of children who are either in, or have yet to start, primary school were eligible to participate, as were school staff and boards of management.

The department says it will use the survey results to input into its analysis of national, local and school-specific data, to help it plan for schools into the future.

It says that where there is clear support for change to be considered, a further process of inclusive dialogue will begin.