Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I take this opportunity to thank Mr. Michael Barron and Mr. Anthony Muldoon as I know they have worked closely with the Department on the process. Will the Minister speak a little more about the education and training boards? I assume he is referring to second level schools. How is it envisaged that the process will work? In how many schools will that happen in the coming years? It is important that the process is successful and a way is found to make it work. Recent figures indicate that 20% of the parent-age population identify as non-religious, so there is a demand for non-religious schools. This is not an attack on Catholics as such either but most of these are Catholic schools. We need to find a way for schools to divest. The work is done for people and they do not have to think about it, which is a real problem in terms of taking on ownership and responsibility for schools. That needs to be managed so perhaps the Minister could speak a little more about the process.

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