Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats)

I unreservedly support the motion and thank Deputy Cummins for bringing it forward. I want to say clearly that the current system is failing to reflect the Ireland of today. In 2021, I stood in this Chamber and said the Government was paying lip service to the idea of a truly inclusive education system, flagging that there was no clear roadmap to providing 400 multidenominational primary schools by 2030. Four years on, the facts show that little has changed except that the gap between political promises and reality has grown even wider.

We know the figures. Over 90% of primary schools are still under religious patronage. Just 5% are multidenominational. There are just 170 multidenominational primary schools in the country despite a programme for Government commitment in 2020 to deliver 400 by 2030. That target has since quietly disappeared. Let us be honest with ourselves: we are nowhere near where we need to be and the current approach simply is not working.

We are a modern, pluralist and diverse Republic, yet our educational system is operating like it is still 1955. Families today, many of whom no longer identify with any religion, are forced to baptise their children just to access the local school. Teachers still face the threat of discrimination under section 37 of the Employment Equality Act simply for being LGBT in their own workplace. Students are being taught relationship and sexuality education through the lens of religious ethos, where puberty is described as a gift from God and same-sex relationships are either ignored or treated as lesser. That is not an evidence-based, modern, inclusive, progressive education and has no place in schools funded by the Irish taxpayer.

In 2021, I introduced a Bill to guarantee fact-based inclusive relationships and sex education for every student in every school regardless of its ethos. That Bill came in response to, among other things, the disgraceful Flourish programme developed by the Irish Catholic Bishops' Conference. The programme suggested, among other things, that the church's view of marriage between a man and a woman must not be omitted. That is not objective or inclusive, and simply should not be acceptable.

We were told that change would come, the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment was working on it and the Government was serious. Here we are in 2025 and we are all asking similar questions again. This motion presents a pathway forward, which is welcome. We must reinstate the target of 400 multidenominational schools by 2030 and publish a roadmap to get there. We must remove faith formation from the school day, respecting the constitutional right to freedom of religion and freedom from religion, if one so wishes. We must have independent mechanisms for school patronage change and with proper oversight and transparency. We must finally repeal section 37(1) so no teacher is ever again made to hide who they are for fear of losing their job. Crucially, we must have a citizens' assembly on the future of education. This is about more than school buildings and patronage models. It is about what kind of society we want. We want one where schools are places of learning and not places of exclusion, and where children of every background and belief can feel like they belong. We cannot keep deferring this conversation. We cannot continue outsourcing the values of our Republic to institutions that do not represent the entirety of its people.

Change is not only overdue but is demanded by the families and teachers in the communities we serve. Let us be clear that parental choice is not about pitting religions against one another. It is about recognising that one belief system should not dominate our public education system, especially not one that excludes, shames and adds silence. This motion is a call for courage, leadership and progress. I support it wholeheartedly and urge the Government to match its words with meaningful, immediate action.

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