The Department of Education is to survey parents to find out what, if any changes, they want made to the school system. This will include asking them what kind of ethos they wish schools to have, including a religious one. David Quinn was on the Hard Shoulder on Newstalk to discuss the planned survey. He explained The Iona Institute position that parental wishes should always be paramount in this debate. He said that there should be fewer Catholic schools than at present, but that any remaining Catholic schools must be allowed to be fully Catholic without the State impeding on their freedom to do so.

He also predicted that the survey will probably show a widespread wish for more divestment of Catholic schools, but that in practice, parents will be reluctant to see their local Catholic school change hands.

You can listen to the item here.