“The demand for Catholic schools is strong. The demand for other forms of patronage is growing. The process of diversification is still too slow.”

“A faith school has a right to have a faith-based ethos. Parents have a right to send their children to a school with a faith ethos that can permeate the school day”.

Some "complain that change in patronage is progressing too slowly; that’s because local communities are happy with the model that best serves local needs."

Archdiocese of Dublin has embarked in "an ongoing, systematic re-organisation" of its 466 primary schools Oireachtas Committee hears.

Pluralism in patronage must not lead to hidden elitism warns Archbishop Diarmuid Martin.

Application by Diocese of Cloyne with the Cork Education and Training Board (ETB) as well as Edmund Rice Schools Trust successful.