473. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education the way a denominational primary school should uphold the child and family’s constitutional rights (details supplied) where just one child is formally opted out of religious education and whose parents do not wish them to be involved in any doctrinal activities, and the entire school and all teachers are undertaking a visit to a religious building for a religious service. [44941/24]

Under the Constitution, the provisions of article 44 recognise the rights of children to attend school without attending religious instruction at that school. Furthermore the provisions of Section 30(2) (e) of the Education Act 1998 provide that a school shall not require a student to attend instruction in any subject which is contrary to the conscience of the parent / guardian of the student or in the case of a student who has reached the age of 18 years, the student. It is expected that this right will be upheld by schools on foot of a parental request.

The manner in which any school ensures that the right to not attend religion instruction classes is upheld, is a matter for the school concerned. Schools must make appropriate arrangements for withdrawal from religious worship including religious events. Each individual school must determine the particular arrangements which are most appropriate in its individual circumstances having regard to local issues such as available space, supervision requirements and how the school concerned organises classes etc.