Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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577. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the material change that will occur in schools as a result of the abolition of rule 68 and the reasons for abolishing the rule. [46242/15]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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The Deputy will be aware that the Report of the Advisory Group to the Forum on Patronage and Pluralism in the Primary Sector was published in April 2012. The Report recommended a review and updating of the Rules for National Schools and in particular, Rule 68. As acknowledged in the Report, there is an overall context that many of the Rules are outdated and have been overtaken in whole or in part by legislation and directions in Department circulars.

I accepted this recommendation relating to Rule 68 because I see its value in contributing to how the primary school system as a whole adapts to the reality of a more pluralist Ireland and how all schools can be accommodating of diversity. The practical impact of the rule may be limited, but the repeal of rule 68 is of significant symbolic importance.