Ban on baptism barrier ‘sooner’

Plans to further restrict the use of religion as grounds to exclude pupils could be introduced sooner than previously expected, Education Minister Richard Bruton hinted.

He told the Seanad the proposal could be included in his School Admissions Bill, rather than requiring a separate piece of law.

He said in June that, having consulted on various options on the role of religion in school enrolment, he plans to amend equality law that allows schools use religion as a reason to refuse enrolment to uphold its ethos.