The process of divesting patronage of schools in 44 areas of the country is to get underway.

The timescale for the first hand-overs of Catholic schools in areas where parents want more choice will be revealed by Education Minister Ruairi Quinn today.

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The Catholic Bishops' Council for Education has welcomed the publication of a new report on how religion should be taught in primary schools.

Strong differences persist about religious teaching and the dominance of church patrons in schools ahead of the publication of a major report on the issues in the coming weeks.

PARENTS of Muslim children would like greater provision by schools to facilitate prayer and flexibility around their religious holidays.

Minister for Education and Skills Ruairí Quinn yesterday opened the three-day Forum on Patronage and Pluralism in the Primary Sector. It has been set up to decide what role the Church will play in the area of school patronage into the future.

CATHOLIC primary schools could have planned extensions delayed or cancelled if there is demand for other types of schools in an area, under policy recommendations to Education Minister Ruairi Quinn.

LEGAL changes to allow vocational education committees become patrons of primary schools face delay as the control of schools comes under close scrutiny.

ANY changes to the patronage of schools will have to be managed in a way that is cost-neutral, Education Minister Ruairi Quinn has warned.