42% of Irish parents want multi-denominational primary schools, survey finds

A significant portion of Irish parents would prefer religious-run primary schools to adopt a multi-denominational ethos, according to a new national survey by the Department of Education. The study revealed that 42% of parents intending to enroll their pre-school child in a Catholic or other religious primary school would favor a multi-denominational approach.

This sentiment mirrors that of parents whose children are already enrolled in denominational schools, with 40% expressing a desire for their child's school to transition to a multi-denominational model. Conversely, a majority of parents in both groups, 58% of prospective parents and 60% of current parents, are content with their child's school remaining denominational.

The survey, which aimed to measure parental demand for change and foster greater diversity in the education sector, received a "phenomenal" response rate of 41.3%. Out of 485,000 identified eligible households with primary school-aged children or younger, 200,381 households provided valid, anonymous responses. Staff from the Central Statistics Office assisted the Department of Education in the project.

Officials stated that the data provides a "robust and reliable foundation" for future analysis at various levels. A statistical dashboard is set to launch, allowing the public to examine the findings in detail, including breakdowns by county, local area, and individual schools. The Department of Education has encouraged schools to engage with their local communities to discuss potential changes regarding ethos, language of instruction, or single-sex enrollment.

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a starting point for conversations about the future