I commented and covered a lil while back about the Christian Brother’s schools being handed over to a lay run trust and now we have this news yesterday.

http://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/mhgbqlgbmhmh/

Archbishop willing to relinquish control of schools

The Archbishop of Dublin has reiterated his willingness to divest some primary schools of their Catholic patronage if that is what parents want.
The Archbishop of Dublin has reiterated his willingness to divest some primary schools of their Catholic patronage if that is what parents want.
Speaking at an education conference in Dublin today, Diarmuid Martin said he believed ways could be found to extend the role of other patronage models.
He said he had no ambition to be in charge of schools against the will of parents.
The Catholic Church currently controls more than 3,000 of the State’s 3,200 primary schools.
Today’s conference is discussing new ways to manage primary schools in an increasingly multicultural and secular Ireland.

Meanwhile, Education Minister Batt O’Keefe has announced that a new model of patronage will begin on a pilot basis in Scoil Ghrainne Phibblestown and Scoil Choilm in Porterstown, Dublin, this September.
These national schools will take in children from all religious and non-religious backgrounds.

And this today…

http://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/mhgbqlididql/

Most parents want state-run schools
30/06/2008 – 07:42:11
Almost three quarters of parents would prefer their children’s primary school to be run by the State rather than religious orders, according to a survey being published today.
The Red C study, commissioned by the Irish Primary Principal’s Network, found 72% of parents would prefer state-run schools, with equal status afforded to all religions.
More than half of parents with children under 15 also said they would like to see some of the time currently used for religion being re-allocated to other subjects.
Just over half of parents believe religious instruction should be taught in the classroom during school hours.

It’s going to be an intresting few years to follow…