Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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129. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills how he will assist the integration of children of different religious beliefs in the same schools; and his views on the joint Oireachtas committee's concern that divestment of patronage seemed to lead to religious segregation rather than the more desirable integration which would result from children of all religious beliefs going to their local national school, regardless of the patronage of that school. [18239/16]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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Some 96% of schools at primary level are currently under the patronage of religious denominations, with 90% under the patronage of the Catholic Church. The need for a greater plurality of provision to respond effectively to changing social needs and to increasing parental demand for multi-denominational or non-denominational education is widely recognised and in that context, I am conscious of the concerns referred to by the Deputy.

The Government is committed to progressing the development of a dynamic and innovative education system that reflects the diversity of twenty first century Ireland. The Programme for a Partnership Government reflects the Government's objective of strengthening parental choice and further expanding diversity in our school system, specifically by increasing the number of non-denominational and multi-denominational schools with a view to reaching 400 by 2030.

In addition to the phased transfer of Catholic schools to new patrons already under way, this will require considering new ideas and new approaches to substantially accelerate the changes in school provision in order to achieve greater diversity.

I am committed to working with all stakeholders to facilitate this process. I am progressing these matters as a priority and have already commenced a round of consultations with patron bodies in this regard.