Jen Cummins (Dublin South Central, Social Democrats)

I bring up the issue of opting out of religious classes for children who go to religious schools. A number of parents have contacted me about this issue, and it is causing huge concern, upset and disappointment. Children who attend schools that are under religious patrons and who are not part of that religion or belief system are supposed to be able to opt out. It is set out in the Constitution under Article 44.2.4° that the right of any child should be facilitated. The issue is that guidelines were supposed to be given by the Department, but they do not seem to be clear. They say that the school should provide that facility, but unfortunately schools are not doing that. There is a loophole where the Department says it is up to the school to do it, but parents say this is not happening. The difficulty is that the Department issues schools with so many circulars about things. This is one of those things that should be part of a circular to help schools to facilitate parents in vindicating their right to opt their children out. I am being told that children are being othered at the moment because there is no facility for them to opt out. They are sitting at the back of the classrooms and are unable to have their constitutional right upheld.

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