In Castleknock multi-denominational school last evening the community hall in which classrooms have been created was being rearranged. The hall's furniture, which makes way for school desks on weekdays, was being put back in place.
There are 38 students enrolled; given more room, this would be doubled. The school has only temporary recognition from the Department of Education and no capital funding. It must operate for about two years before recognition flows, as the Department must satisfy itself of the genuine demand for this kind of education.
Not all schools face such obstacles. Denominational schools are given permanent recognition as a matter of course. For Catholic schools the baptismal register is seen as clear evidence of the demand for Catholic education.
In an overwhelmingly Catholic society this kind of system worked well. Indeed, the State has good reason to feel grateful to the church. It provided schools in areas where the State had often abdicated its responsibilities. But the changing nature of Irish society and its increasingly multi-religious and multi-cultural face presents some awkward questions for both church and State. Should the Catholic Church give priority to people who, in Dr Smith's phrase, "walk in the faith"? Should the State take a much more active role in the provision of schools? And how should the needs of parents be addressed?
Under the 1998 Education Act schools are required to respect and promote respect for the diversity of values, beliefs, traditions, languages and ways of life in Irish society. These are lofty ambitions.
Most of the more than 3,000 primary schools in the State, are controlled by the Catholic Church. In Dublin the church has four main guiding principles on enrolment. In order of importance these are:
Catholic children of the parish have an automatic right of admission.
The siblings of those already in the school are the next priority.
Catholic children from parishes where there is no Catholic school (there are seven such parishes in Dublin) are the next priority group.
Every child who seeks enrolment will be considered, provided there are still places available.
The difficulty with this system comes when demand outstrips supply. Catholic schools in the mushrooming western suburbs of Dublin such as Lucan and Maynooth are heavily oversubscribed. A similar pattern is evident in places like Donnybrook, Rathmines and Terenure where the school-going population has increased dramatically.
For all that, there is scant evidence of non-Catholic children failing to gain admission. On the contrary, many Catholic schools in the inner city and south inner city are models of tolerance, where refugee children are accommodated and great efforts are made to recognise their religious beliefs. There is also a good working relationship between Catholic and Church of Ireland schools on admissions, with C of I schools happy, when possible, to enrol Catholic children and vice versa.
Dr Smith's comments, however, have struck a cord with many Catholic priests. One said yesterday; "At a time when Mass attendance is falling dramatically, why should a small band of churchgoers foot the bill? Thousands of parents are availing of Catholic education but make no contribution to it."
Although the State has recently greatly increased its contribution to schools, the Catholic Church still pays a capitation fee of £7 for each pupil and underwrites about 15 per cent of the cost of capital projects. Like Dr Smith, several priests question whether the church should solely look after its own flock.
But there is little evidence that the State is ready to step into the church's role. The Department of Education has neither the staff nor the structures to take the lead in providing schools. It is content to allow the Catholic Church to take the leading role, despite the fall-off in religious practice.
There may be a strong public demand for a wider school choice. There may be a stronger demand and a need for multi-denominational education. But there are, as yet, few signs of official policy moving to keep pace with the changes in society.