Forum opens on patronage of primary schools

A forum on the future of Irish primary schools, and their patronage, has been opened this afternoon by the Education Minister Ruairi Quinn.

Parents, patrons, and teachers are asked to submit their views for consideration to an advisory group, which will report back to the Minister in the autumn.

The forum, which is taking submissions until June 9, was set up in order to make the national school system more pluralist.

It will examine ways to remove some schools from the patronage of the Catholic Church, in favour of a multidenominational model.

Head of Communications for Educate Together, John Holohan says it is time to give parents a choice of schools.