Education change timeframe unclear

It is unclear when parents will see changes to the rules that allow links between religion and school enrolment, despite Education Minister Richard Bruton’s plans to deal with the issue.

Opposition parties have already criticised the minister for not dealing with the baptism barrier issue in law that is already going through the Oireachtas.

He said yesterday that linking the complex issues involved with religion and school enrolment risked causing substantial delays to the School Admissions Bill. He published the bill last summer and it is due to go to committee stage soon.