Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 February 2026
188. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Education and Youth the steps her Department is taking to make more meaningful provision for students who have opted out of religious education; if the Department plans to give more specific guidance to schools on this; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13418/26]
View answerArticle 44 of the Constitution recognises the rights of children to attend school without attending religious instruction at that school. It is expected that this right will be upheld by schools on foot of a parental request. This right applies in all schools regardless of the denomination or ethos of the school concerned. Where parents wish to exercise this right, they should approach the school concerned in the first instance through the school principal and if necessary, through the Board of Management.
Under the provisions of the Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018, where schools provide religious instruction, they must clearly set out in their admission policies the school’s arrangements for students, where the parent or in the case of a student who has reached the age of 18 years, the student, has requested that the student attend the school without attending religious instruction in the school.
The manner in which any school ensures that the right to attend school without attending religious instruction classes is upheld is a matter for the school concerned. Each individual school must determine the particular arrangements which are most appropriate in its individual circumstances, having regard to local issues such as available space, supervision requirements and how the school concerned organises classes etc.
As set out in the Education Plan 2025, my department is currently working to develop best practice guidance for primary schools in relation to arrangements to facilitate parental requests for children to attend school without attending religious instruction. A review of current practices in schools is being undertaken to inform a consultation document that will develop a best practice guide. This guidance is intended to improve consistency across schools and to make expectations clearer for all stakeholders.
