Parents will shortly be invited to complete a national survey organised by the Department of Education on their preferred ethos of school as part of Government efforts to transition Catholic schools to other forms of management.

The online poll is expected to be open to parents of preschool and primary school-aged children, as well as younger children who have yet to enter the education system.

The poll will also ask parents about their school preferences in terms of gender mix and language of instruction: Irish or English.

The Irish Times is reporting that parents will be asked to provide details of their Eircode and, potentially, PPS numbers to help identify the location of their local school and to validate votes.

Minister for Education Norma Foley has previously said the poll will differ from previous efforts, which took place locally, by generating a “national conversation” on the issue.