John Perry (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I assure Deputy Conlan that the school to which he refers has been in contact with the Department. I have no doubt that its board of management will work actively with the Department. A range of issues has been discussed and further meetings will be held. An arrangement exists for fee-charging Protestant schools, whereby funding is provided by the Department to the Secondary Education Committee. The Constitution does not allow positive or negative discrimination in respect of schools based on their religious ethos. I entirely agree with Deputy Conlon that the Minister for Education and Skills will do everything he can to facilitate this within the Constitution. It is important to emphasise that point. Parents may be annoyed and it is important that they now engage with the board of management and enter meaningful negotiations with the Minister. I have no doubt that he will come to a decision whereby the school's ethos will prevail and the 247 children will continue to attend. I ask the Deputy to engage and convey that to the principal and board of management of the school.

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