‘Catholics should come first at Church schools’

PARENTS yesterday expressed mixed opinions on Richard Bruton’s plan to remove the ‘Baptism barrier’ for Catholic schools.

The Mail canvassed opinions on the Education Minister’s plan at St Brigid’s Catholic School in Ballsbridge, Dublin, as parents arrived to collect their children.

Opinions varied, with a number arguing Catholic schools should be allowed to enrol Catholic children above others, while others believe religion should be removed from schools altogether.

Christopher Flood said: ‘If it is a tradition then it’s a tradition. It is a Catholic school. Everyone is entitled to their own ways.’

He added: ‘I suppose it has been like that for many years so I would like to keep it to the same traditions. I mean, it is a Catholic school, this is a Catholic country so they are well within their rights to pick and choose what they want.’

Another parent, Ailish, said a Catholic child should be given a place in a Catholic school before someone of another religion. She said: ‘I think it would depend on numbers. With this school, the numbers are very high, but I think that if it is a Catholic school, a Catholic child should be given priority.’

Parent Katie Hearty told the Mail: ‘If you want to send your children to a Catholic school then send them to a Catholic school.’

She added: ‘I think it is very personal. And there is a school for everyone at the end of the day.’

Another woman, who was collecting children after school said: ‘I would be of the opinion that religion should just be taken out of it altogether. It is about education.

‘I’m not religious myself so that is why my opinion would be more so leaning towards that.

‘But if Muslim schools, say for instance, are still going to be able to prioritise their children, then I believe that maybe Catholic schools should do the same.’

She added: ‘Although if it was down to me I would take away religion altogether.’