Parents face barriers opting children out of religion in Catholic primary schools

A mother's experience highlights inconsistencies in religious opt-out policies as demand grows for more multi-denominational primary schools

The vast majority (88%) of Irish primary schools remain under religious patronage, and the vast majority of these are Catholic.

Deirdre* anticipated there might be some obstacles when she started looking at primary schools for her eldest child.

The family live in a rural area, pretty typical of many around the country. Their son Jack* attends pre-school locally. He has joined his local GAA team and made friends there with children who will also be starting junior infants come September.