Bruton quick fix for schools is not enough

EDUCATION Minister Richard Bruton’s announcement that State-funded schools will no longer be allowed use religion as a criterion for admission does not get to grips with the real issue. Yes, many nonreligious parents will be pleased they will no longer hypocritically have to ensure their children are baptised so they can be guaranteed access to Catholic schools and, yes, it is also good news for those of minority religions, or none, without access to multi-denominational schools. But the fundamental problem is one of supply.

If there was sufficient choice of schools, and plenty of places were available, there would be no problem with a religious ethos. We have a growing population, and it is set to grow further if, as expected, there is even a mild Brexit bonus when foreign companies relocate their headquarters here from the UK.

We must prepare for that influx, as educational opportunity will be one of the criteria assessed by any company planning to relocate to another EU country.

That is why, rather than requiring Catholic schools not to discriminate in favour of Catholics, it would be better to speed up the process of divesting schools of Catholic ownership and management, a process supported by the Catholic Church.

This would allow for a wider selection of multi-denominational and non-denominational schools, supplemented by even more new schools to cope with demand.

It is important to acknowledge and celebrate the immense contribution made by the Catholic Church to education in this country. It prepared generations of children for life and for that it deserves credit – but times change and new models must be adapted in all walks of life. The Minister for Education’s initiative is a good one, but it is the start of a process, not the end.