Catholic schools that reward pupils who attend religious ceremonies are discriminating against non-Catholic pupils, the Workplace Relations Commission has ruled.

The commission decided that Yellow Furze primary school in Co Meath discriminated against an atheist pupil by giving his classmates who attended a First Communion choir ceremony homework passes. The commission awarded a sum of €5,000 in respect of discriminatory treatment and ordered the school to review its policies to ensure it complies with the provisions of the Equal Status Acts.

The mother of the child at the centre of the case said her son was upset after being “penalised” with homework for not attending the choir ceremony.

She argued that he did not have the option to take part in the ceremony as the family are atheist.

The school submitted that the claim was “wholly unfounded” and said all children – regardless of their religion – were able to participate in the ceremony.

As a Catholic school, it said it enjoyed a proud tradition of participating in religious ceremonies and that music was an integral part of this.

It added that its code of behaviour provided that all children who participate in extra-curricular activities or events on behalf of the school will receive a “reward” for their doing so.