Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 153: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the action she will take to address the situation whereby Catholic ethos schools are turning away students on religious grounds. [21479/07]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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It is a matter for individual schools to determine their enrolment policies. In doing so schools must act in accordance with the requirements of the Education Act and equal status legislation.

As the Deputy will be aware, the vast majority of primary schools in this country were established by the Catholic Church.

However, they have historically welcomed pupils from all backgrounds and continue to do so. In fact, many Catholic schools would now have large numbers of newcomer children with a diversity of faiths enrolled. My Department is determined to continue to support this practice by ensuring that sufficient school places are available in all areas.