THE decision on whether or which schools should be divested to new patrons should not be decided by a simple local vote, parents and Catholic bishops appeared to agree yesterday.

TWO years ago, a friend of mine moved house. She and her husband are living in south-east London. Their son was three years of age, and another son was on the way.

CATHOLIC Church representatives have said reports that up to 50% of Catholic schools will be transferred to other patrons under a new Government initiative are “way over the top”.

Pilot schemes should be set up to assess the transferral of Catholic schools to non-denominational bodies, church representatives have said.

Ruairí Quinn’s moves to transfer some Catholic schools to other patrons has been well received, writes Education Correspondent Niall Murray

AMBITIOUS plans by Education Minister Ruairí Quinn to transfer up to half of Catholic primary schools to new patrons from early next year have been broadly welcomed.

More than half of staff in the North still go to work when feeling stressed or unwell, a survey showed today.

Contractors in the construction sector are being warned not to cut corners on health and safety due to the recession.