Law protects church-run schools' choice of students

A PROPOSAL by a Co Meath priest to limit school places to children of practising Catholics only, could be replicated around the country under existing legislation.

The Department of Education and the National Parents Council warned last night that there was nothing the State could do to stop church-run schools from banning the children of non-practising Catholics from attending.

Fr Michael Daly, parish priest in Stamullen, said children of lapsed Catholics will be the first to lose out in any future squeeze on school places. His policy, designed to bring people back to the faith, has led to calls from parents' groups for the State to provide non-denominational schools.