Faith formation should be removed from all schools, including denominational ones, according to Paddy Monahan, a councillor with Social Democrats who is also a policy officer with ‘Education Equality’, which is a strong critic of denominational education.

The Constitution protects the right of parents to educate children according to their wishes with the help of the State, which has always funded Church-run schools. A recent survey by the Department of Education showed 60pc of parents surveyed want such schools for their children.
Writing in the Irish Times, Paddy Monahan said religious faith formation should be moved outside of school hours.

This would mean “parents who want religious education and sacramental preparation for their children can still have it – by actively choosing it outside school. Equally, parents who do not wish their children to face daily exclusion and unwanted religious instruction, as is currently the case, will have this wish respected”.

Recently Social Democrats TD Jen Cummins made a similar call.