Lisa Chambers (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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271. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to outline the progress he has made on the forum on patronage and pluralism recommendation for a protocol for an inclusive school; the section in his Department which is leading on implementing this recommendation; if he has discussed this protocol with educational stakeholders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9757/16]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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The new Programme for Government commits the Government to strengthening parental choice and diversity in our school system in order to ensure that it reflects the diversity of modern Ireland. This includes a commitment to aim to increase the number of non-denominational and multi-denominational schools to 400 by 2030.

The Forum on Patronage and Pluralism in the primary school sector, which issued its report in 2012, recommended steps that could be taken to ensure that the education system can provide a sufficiently diverse number and range of primary schools to cater for children of all religions and none.

The Report's recommendations covered a number of different areas including those dealing with the creation of more inclusive schools. While this is a particular issue in areas where the population is such that there is only one school (often under denominational patronage) catering for the entire population, the Forum made recommendations with regard to all schools in relation to including pupils of different religions, beliefs and traditions in the school.

A public consultation on inclusiveness in primary schools was held in Autumn 2013. Views of parents, in particular, were sought on issues such as how best to accommodate students of various belief systems and traditions within existing schools, and having school policies on the conduct of religious celebrations and the display of religious symbols.

A paper, entitled "Forum on Patronage and Pluralism in the Primary Sector: Progress to Date and Future Directions", which took account of the public consultation, was published in 2014. The paper outlined good practice and options for promoting diversity in schools, in particular in relation to:

- The right to opt out of religion classes;

- Scheduling of Religion Classes and other Religious Activities;

- Options for Pupils in relation to Religious Ceremonies of the Ethos of the School;

- Celebration of Religious Festivals; and

- Display of Religious Artefacts.

The paper acknowledged that each school should arrive at solutions that suit its own particular context. It also noted that this is an evolving situation and that practices may evolve over time as circumstances change.

Officials in my Department continue to engage with stakeholders on these matters.