Michael Collins (Cork South-West, Independent Ireland Party)

The Social Democrats have tabled a motion in the Dáil that calls for the Government to increase the number of multidenominational schools and to phase out religious patronage in special education. I have listened carefully today to all the reasons we should remove church patronage. There are also those of us who oppose these statements and who argue that religious institutions play a significant role in the community and that their influence should be preserved. Along with many others, I worry that phasing out religious patronage could disrupt existing school structures and community ties. Independent Ireland will stand firmly against this motion and I urge the Minister to consider the numerous benefits religious patronage brings to our schools and communities. Catholic schools and other religious institutions provide an education grounded in strong moral and ethical values. These values, such as respect, compassion, integrity and service to others, are not just taught but woven into the very fabric of the school environment. They help to shape well-rounded individuals who are not only academically proficient, but also morally grounded and socially responsible. Religious schools foster a strong sense of community and belonging for many families. These schools are more than just educational institutions. They are an integral part of their communities' cultural identity.

The shared values and traditions create a supportive environment where students and family feel connected and engaged. Many religious schools are known for their high academic standards and commitment to educational excellence. They often achieve outstanding results, not just because of rigorous curricula but also due to the dedication of teachers who view their work as a vocation. This commitment to excellence benefits all students regardless of their religious backgrounds. Religious education focuses on development of the whole person's mind, body and spirit. This holistic approach nurtures students in a way that prepares them for all aspects of life. It encourages them to be thoughtful, reflective and compassionate individuals who contribute positively to society.

Religious institutions often provide significant financial support to their schools. This can include subsidies, fundraising and donations that help to maintain and improve schools' facilities and programmes. This financial backing ensures that the schools can offer high-quality education while keeping tuition fees affordable for families.

In a diverse society it is crucial to offer parents and students a variety of educational options. Religious schools provide an important choice for families who wish to have their children educated in an environment that aligns with their values and beliefs. Removing this choice would not only limit education diversity but also infringe on the rights of parents to decide the best education path for their children. I talk with experience on many fronts and with a clear understanding. I spent 20 years on a board of management in a Catholic school. I am not ashamed of that and in fact I am very proud of that. I spent ten years as the chairperson of that school board. I never once as chairperson of a board of management in any way shape or form, nor did the principals, ever pick on them and I believe that Deputies here have insulted quite a lot of principals and their teaching in Catholic schools. We have been as fair to children who came in whether they had a religion or did not have religion. They were treated with the respect they should have been treated with. The way some Deputies have spoken in here, mother of God one would think that the students are getting an awful time altogether in these Catholic schools. They are not. Stop. Stop this nonsense for God's sake.

A total of 93% of schools in this country have a religious patronage. I feel that this motion should not be able to attack the religious. It should be attacking the Department for not funding schools properly. For example, in Dublin recently a school was almost faced with closure. This is happening the length and breadth of the country. I can only talk on behalf of the school where I was chairperson of the board of management. When we were stuck and the Department failed to step in it was the church that stepped in to look after the children's needs and the school's needs. The church stepped in there. That is an incredible situation that nobody wants to acknowledge. Good God we would be afraid to acknowledge that in case we would upset the minority up there. The whole point is that the church is very strong and in some cases it has actually pulled out a cheque for the local parish priest to keep the electricity going in the schools. This is an astonishing situation that the Department should be covering and be looking after, and it is not doing so. We will not support the motion. We will certainly oppose it all the way.

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