Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Solidarity)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

57. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if parents and students over 18 years of age can opt out of the NCCA religious education syllabus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10866/19]

Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The NCCA Leaving Certificate Religious Education syllabus is a broad course which seeks to develop the skills needed to engage in meaningful dialogue with those of other or of no religious traditions. It is concerned with promoting personal growth and facilitating the spiritual development of students. Religious education is well placed to provide students with opportunities for reflection on human experience, as well as for understanding and interpretation of that experience. Such opportunities encourage the students’ participation in their own conscious and critical development. As part of their studies, students are exposed to a broad range of religious traditions and to the non-religious interpretation of life.

The NCCA Religious Education (RE) Syllabus is an optional examinable subject at Leaving Certificate. Students opt for the RE syllabus as one of their subjects for the Leaving Certificate and the question of opting out on grounds of conscience should not therefore arise.