For fifteen years, the same response was given to anyone who brought up the issue of school patronage in Ireland: there isn’t a genuine desire for reform. It was said with assurance, repeatedly, and occasionally in a tone that implied the question was a little irrational. That specific argument became much more difficult to make after the Department of Education released the findings of its national primary school survey.
The figures are startling. According to the survey, 42% of parents who plan to send their preschoolers to a Catholic or religiously run primary school said they would prefer that the school become multidenominational. The percentage is 40% among parents whose children are already enrolled in denominational schools. These are not tiny, disgruntled minorities. Over 200,000 valid responses, representing almost half of all eligible households in Ireland, consistently and significantly indicate that parents want something that the current system does not provide.
The figure that hasn’t gotten nearly enough attention is another. 50.9% of parents of preschoolers in general, not just those connected to denominational schools, said they preferred multidenominational education. That is the majority. While methodology, context, and the practical definition of “preference” can be debated, it is hard to look at that figure and say there is no demand.
Although scale is important, it’s not the only thing that sets this survey apart from previous ones. Employees were seconded by the Central Statistics Office to verify answers, linking submissions to child benefit records and Eircode data. This methodological rigor is what makes dismissal more difficult. The Department itself referred to the 41.3% response rate as “phenomenal,” and it appears that officials were genuinely taken aback by the volume of responses.
The national figure gains depth from the county-level breakdown. Multi-denominational schools were preferred by 58% of relevant households in Wicklow. Kildare scored 51%, Dublin 55%, and Cork 52.7%. These are not anomalous suburbs inhabited by secular immigrants to Ireland. These are mainstream communities consisting of regular families navigating an educational system that was primarily created for an alternative Irish society.
Monaghan, on the other hand, scored 29%. It serves as a reminder of the diversity of Ireland. There is regional variation, and any sincere discussion about change must take into consideration locations where the current system generally reflects what parents truly desire. When the national debate intensifies, that subtlety is frequently overlooked.
The survey also makes it evident that parents are considering other factors besides ethos. Coeducational schools were in high demand; almost 75% of parents whose children attended single-sex schools stated they would prefer a switch to mixed education. Additionally, nearly 35% of households in counties like Galway said they would prefer more Irish-medium education. The picture that is painted is not one of overt hostility to religion. In a system that has traditionally provided very little choice, there is a wider desire for it.
What actually occurs next is the question at hand. Data is produced by surveys. Reports are produced by data. More conversation is sparked by reports. This cycle has previously occurred in Ireland, most notably following the 2011 Forum for Patronage and Pluralism, which identified dozens of areas where divestment was demanded but ultimately resulted in very little change on the ground. In close-knit communities, there are actual social pressures regarding school patronage. Parents who advocated for change in communities like Malahide talked about feeling socially excluded. Survey data do not reflect that type of friction, but it does influence what is feasible.
This time seems to have more significance. It is more difficult to discreetly set aside due to the scope of the survey, the reliability of its methodology, and the lucidity of the findings. The results, according to Education Minister Hildegarde Naughton, are “a starting point for conversations.” It’s a thoughtful framing. Political will, community preparedness, and the willingness of the 42% who stated they want something different to wait patiently while the system determines how to react will determine whether or not those discussions result in anything.
