The release of a nationwide survey to all parents of children aged 0-12 by the Department
of Education and Youth has been welcomed by Louth and Meath Education & Training
Board (LMETB).

The survey, https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-education/campaigns/primary-
school-survey/ , aims to assess the appetite amongst parents for multi-denominational,
co-educational and Irish-medium education.

Education and Training Boards, the patrons of Community National Schools and
Community Colleges across the country, which are state-funded, co-educational, multi-
denominational primary and post-primary schools, and the largest provider of education
through the medium of Irish, are calling on all parents of children within this cohort, as
well as school staff and boards of management to participate in the survey and have their
say.

Commenting today, Martin G. O’ Brien Chief Executive of LMETB said: “This is an
important opportunity to inform the future educational landscape across Ireland. It’s a
chance to ensure our schools, in the future, reflect the diverse society we now live in. We
would encourage parents, school staff, and boards of management to take time to
complete the survey, and to access the resources and information provided by the
Department.”

“While people are naturally cautious about change”, he continued, “it’s important to note,
that when a school changes to become, for example, a Community National School under
the patronage of their local ETB, lots of the great things that are already in place remain
the same. The curriculum, the staff, and extra-curricular activities all remain as they were.
The main thing that changes is that the ethos in a Community National School includes all
children and their families equally throughout the school day, rather than prioritising any
one faith.”

LMETB manages four Community National Schools, one Community Special School, a Centre
for European Schooling, eighteen post primary schools including one school with Post Leaving
Certificate provision and two dedicated Post Leaving Certificate colleges. LMETB is also joint
patron of six Community Schools located in Ardee, Ashbourne, Athboy, Drogheda, Kells and
Trim. Further details on LMETB is available on www.lmetb.ie

Data on Religious Beliefs demonstrates “clear need for more diverse school
options”

Figures gathered by Education and Training Boards Ireland (ETBI), the national
representative body of Ireland’s 16 ETBs, including LMETB, show that, currently, only
156 of the 3089 primary schools nationally are multi-denominational (i.e. 5% of all
schools). The vast majority – 95% – fall under the patronage of religious bodies, primarily
the Catholic Church. Data from the most recent Census illustrates a mismatch between
the religious beliefs of people in Ireland, and the educational options currently on offer.
In the 2022 Census, 31% of people in Ireland said they do not identify as Catholic, with
over 14% identifying as non-religious and significant increases in other religious beliefs.
Commenting on the data, Fiona Kindlon, Director of Schools with LMETB, said: “The
Census data demonstrates a clear need for more diverse primary school options for
families in our region. A considerable proportion of our population is not adequately
served by the current primary education system, where most schools are run by the
Catholic Church and promote a Catholic ethos.”

In the research carried out, ETBI assessed the appetite for multi-denominational schools
nationwide. Their findings show 61% of people nationally would prefer to have a multi-
denominational body providing education rather than a religious body. It’s worth noting
that even amongst people who identify as Catholic, there is a preference for multi-
denominational education. These findings leave little doubt that the current situation
must change.”

Further information about the Schools Survey 2030 currently being run by the
Department of Education is available at https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-
education/campaigns/primary-school-survey/