The INTO has been mandated at its annual conference to lobby the Catholic church to end the requirement for a religious education qualification for anyone wishing to teach in a Catholic primary school.

The qualification is required because all teachers in such schools are expected to teach RE because it is an integral part of the curriculum. The teacher does not have to be a practising Catholic to do so.

It is not clear to what extent delegates at the conference reflect the view of most teachers in Catholic schools.

The attendees at the annual congress in also instructed their union to survey members on whether they believe Catholic faith formation should take place in schools and whether primary schools should have secular or religious patrons.

Around 93% of primary schools in Ireland are Catholic.

Delegates also instructed the union to form a task force to look at the future of primary school patronage and to examine the results of the survey. Where Catholic schools are earmarked for possible divestment, teachers and parents usually vote to remain in the Catholic system.