The Archdiocese of Dublin is to postpone voting over plans to divest a Catholic school of its patronage in the north of the city following “confusion and misinformation” over the implications for pupils. A row over plans to divest one Catholic school out of eight in the Malahide and Portmarnock areas sparked claims that students would be prevented from celebrating events such as Christmas, Easter or St Patrick’s Day under a multidenominational patron. A vote was due to take place next week by parents to measure their interest in divesting from a Catholic school to another patron body in the area. As a result, it plans to postpone a vote by parents which was due to take place next week. Misinformation by schools over the implications of a change in patronage prompted criticism from the Minister for Education Joe McHugh earlier this week.

Source: The Irish Times April 05, 2019 16:30 UTC