The Legal Status of Religion in Publicly-Funded Schools in Ireland

Abstract

This chapter considers the legal status of religion in publicly-funded schools in the Republic of Ireland. Ireland now has an increasingly diverse population where changing cultures and religious beliefs play a significant societal role. 'religious instruction' (RI) means instruction according to the tenets of one religious faith and religious worship. 'Religious education' (RE) means the optional, comparative program about world religions which may be taken as a subject for the public examinations pursuant to the Education Act 1998. The right to participate in religious teaching is protected by Article 9 of the European Convention on Human Rights. Provision for the teaching of RI and RE in recognized schools is made in the Act of 1998 which reflects the duality of control over education. The Revised Curriculum for Primary Schools 1999 acknowledges the importance of the spiritual dimension of the individual and the role of religious education in schools.