Over 270 primary schools should 'actively consider' becoming multi-denominational, education body says

Most of these schools (217) are under Catholic patronage. The remaining 61 religious-run schools are mainly under Church of Ireland patronage.

Almost 280 religious-run primary schools, the majority of which are under Catholic patronage, should consider becoming multi-denominational over the next year, according to Education and Training Boards Ireland (ETBI).

Following an analysis of data published by the Department of Education, the education body found 278 primary schools it believes should "actively consider" changing to a multi-denominational ethos for September 2027.

Most of these schools (217) are under Catholic patronage. The remaining 61 religious-run schools are mainly under Church of Ireland patronage.

Schools have until the end of October to decide whether they want to be included in the first group to act on the findings of the recent parents' survey.

Published in June, the first-ever parents' survey found strong demand for more multi-denominational education. ETBI represents State-run, multi-denominational Community National Schools (CNS).

In the 278 religious-run schools identified by ETBI, at least 50% of parents expressed a preference for a multi-denominational ethos on the survey, and each school had a response rate of 40% or higher.

Dr James Eustace, ETBI’s acting general secretary, said: “The department’s survey shows that, across the board, 40% of parents and guardians would prefer a multi-denominational school for their child, but only 8% of primary pupils currently attend one."

There are at least 278 religious-run primary schools across Ireland that should actively consider becoming multi-denominational in the "very near future", he added.

Dr Séamus Conboy, ETBI director of schools, said individual schools will have a "relatively short window" to decide whether they want to pursue becoming multi-denominational in September 2027. 

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"The survey results clearly show that, for some schools, this will be a very straightforward choice."

Alan Hynes-Cendrzak of the Catholic Education Partnership said the parents' survey was intended as a "data point to inform the discussion and engagement by school communities on the questions of changes of patronage, on moving from single-sex to co-educational, or on the language medium of the school".

"Schools have been asked by the department to commence this engagement in September, and we are confident that school communities will do so. The Catholic patrons remain committed to supporting the divestment of patronage, or other changes of status, where a community is in favour of change."