Parents of pre-school children in 16 areas across the country are to be polled over the coming weeks on whether they want multi-denominational patrons to take over the running of their local Catholic primary schools.

The Minister for Education, Richard Bruton, announced the plan on Monday. In areas where parents express a preference for non-Catholic schools, Mr Bruton has proposed that the State lease buildings from the church and provide for “live transfers” of schools.

Minister Bruton said he hoped the Church would support his proposals. “I’m confident there’s support within the Catholic Church for this. There’s support in the community. I’m confident this process will evolve well,” he said.