Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Solidarity)
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285. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of schools that offer an alternative subject to religious instruction or worship in line with Circular 0013/2018. [35182/19]

Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
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Following publication of Circular 0013/2018, a further Circular 0062/2018 was published by my Department to remove any ambiguity about how religious education and religious instruction are delivered in those schools. Students should only be provided with a place in a religious instruction class where there has been a parental request for admission to that class. Where a parent has made a choice for their child, or where appropriate the student, to participate in a religious instruction class, this eliminates any necessity for subsequent withdrawal from that class and the provision of alternative subjects.  Schools are advised to read both circulars 0013/2018 and Circular 0062/2018 in conjunction with one another.