Delegates vote to establish union taskforce examining school patronage

A MOTION on faith formation and school patronage at the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation (INTO) annual congress resulted in delegates voting for the establishment of a union taskforce on the issue.

While delegates acknowledged that religious organisations have historically “played a pivotal role” in delivering education, and credited those involved, it was noted that “in recent years, Ireland’s population demographics have shifted”.

The most recent census shows Roman Catholics accounted for 69% of the population, a decline from 78.3% in 2016 and 84.2% in 2011 — but despite this, nine in 10 primary schools are Catholic.

In Cork, there are over 350 Catholic primary schools, and less than 40 non-Catholic schools, the majority of which are under Church of Ireland patronage. Thirteen of these are multi-denominational, including seven Educate Together Schools, two Cork ETB schools, and four multi-denominational Gaelscoils.

The INTO is concerned that the status quo may be infringing the right of inclusive education to all children.

It is also conscious that some schools’ requirement that teachers obtain a certificate in religious education to teach in denominational schools needs to be reviewed in light of the changing face of Ireland and the teacher supply crisis.

The INTO has proposed the establishment of a taskforce on school patronage, and conducting a survey among members on the topic, with the taskforce then being set up to examine the survey findings and disseminate results with members at next year’s Congress.

West Cork native and incoming INTO vice president Anne Horan told The Echo that deputy general secretary Deirdre O’Connor had made great points on the Department of Education’s progress on school patronage thus far.

Ms O’Connor said at the congress: “Though the Department of Education has committed to divestment and to the establishment of more multi-denominational schools, transfers of school patronage have been slow and the process has not gained the confidence of all members of school communities.

“The department’s pilot scheme on the reconfiguration of schools to date has mostly focused on communications with parents.

“The INTO wants to gauge our members’ stance on issues related to school patronage and to present our union’s findings to the Department of Education in April 2025.”