Religious education teachers have expressed concern that children who are practising Catholics are singled out for bullying more than non-religious students, an Oireachtas committee has heard.

Citing upcoming research from DCU’s Anti-Bullying Centre, Prof James O’Higgins Norman said such pupils were often seen as “old fashioned or out of the mainstream culture” due to a decline in the number of children who practice religion.

“In addressing that we need to promote understanding of difference, that difference is the norm and a good thing, and no two kids are the same,” he said.