Michael Collins (Cork South-West, Independent Ireland Party)
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434. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she is aware that the Diocese of Cork and Ross is running a pilot programme in State-funded primary schools whereby a US evangelical Catholic organisation (details supplied) is facilitating retreats for children participating in the sacrament of confirmation; who is providing the funding for this organisation; the kind of visas being provided to these self-styled missionaries; her views on this occurring during the school day in taxpayer-funded schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15779/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The patron of the school (person or body that manages a school) determines the ethos and characteristic spirit of the school. The patron also appoints the Board of Management to manage the operation of the school. The development and implementation of the curriculum in religious education in both primary and post-primary schools is the responsibility of the patron.

The Education Act recognises the rights of the different patrons to design programmes in religious education and to supervise their teaching and implementation. It is the responsibility of each school to provide a religious education that is consistent with its ethos, while at the same time being flexible in making alternative organisational arrangements for those who do not wish to avail of the particular religious education it offers.

At primary level, there are a number of patrons’ programmes within the primary school system reflecting the diversity of patronage. Some of these are denominational or religious in nature, emphasising the place of children’s faith, spiritual and moral development in their lives. Other patrons’ programmes are ‘ethical’ in nature and emphasise fostering children’s understanding of ethics and values.

In the implementation of the patron’s programme every school has autonomy to choose the resources that best suits their context.