Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 1529: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if there have been complaints, cases or incidents where minority religions have tried to impose their views on the religious ethos of Catholic schools; and if she will clarify the rights of all religions in schools here. [1442/07]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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My Department has no record of receiving complaints in relation to minority religions trying to impose their views on the religious ethos of Catholic schools.

Pupils and parents enjoy a number of legal rights regarding their choice of school for primary education. These derive from the Constitution, legislation and my Department's rules. Statutory rights to choice of school derives from the Education Act 1998, section 6 of which provides for a number of objects to which those concerned with the implementation of the Act must have regard, including promoting "the right of parents to send their children to a school of the parents' choice having regard to the rights of patrons and the effective and efficient use of resources".

Existing legislation acknowledges the rights of the individual with regard to values and beliefs and makes provision for the wide range that now exists in Irish society. Under Section 30 of the Education Act (1998), no student can be required to attend instruction in any subject which is contrary to the conscience of the parent of the student. The Act also requires that, in prescribing curricula for recognised schools, as Minister I must take due account of the characteristic spirit of a school or type of school.

Section 15 of the Act requires boards of management of schools to uphold and be accountable to the Patron for upholding the characteristic spirit of the school including the moral, religious, social, educational and spiritual values which inform the ethos of the school.

My Department recognises the rights of the different church authorities to design curricula in religious education and to supervise their teaching and implementation. This right is enshrined in the Education Act (1998). Consequently, although religious education is part of the Curriculum for Primary Schools and schools are obliged to allocate 30 minutes per day for religious instruction, the content of the religion programme is determined by the Patron of the school.