Parents are encountering difficulties opting their children out of religion classes despite a legal right to do so, campaigners have claimed.

Atheist Ireland says it is aware of dozens of cases where parents have been told the subject is a core subject and the right to opt-out should not arise.

One secondary school in Waterford is the subject of a formal complaint from a parent regarding their policy on religious education. However, it says that although religion is “an integral part of our programme”, it accommodates those who wish to opt out. It offers to parents the option of removing their child from the school premises for the duration of religious education. Alternatively, a child may stay within the classroom following an “educationally appropriate activity” but cannot include study or homework.

Meanwhile, a Catholic primary school has made the front pages of the Irish Times for giving out homework passes to students who attend communion choir practice, and none for students who don’t.