Establishing primary schools under the patronage of the non-denominational VEC sector in order to increase the diversity of educational experiences available has been overwhelmingly voted for by the National Parents' Council.
Currently, 95 per cent of primary schools in Ireland are denominational, despite the addition of new ethnic groups, new cultures and changing religious practices, according to Ann Harmon, a delegate from Louth who proposed the motion.
The National Parents' Council is expected to consult with both the Department of Education and the vocational education committees in the coming weeks with regard to providing greater choice of schools to parents.
Fionnuala Kilfeather, chief executive of the council, said that it was now time for a national debate on school management.
"Parents need to be asked about what type of school they want to send their child to and under what kind of patron.
When new schools are proposed for an area, there needs to be greater consultation with parents, possibly through the county planning departments."
The National Parents' Council move follows a decision by Co Clare VEC earlier this year to begin the process of becoming the first committee to seek patronage of two primary schools already in existence.
Under the patronage of the VEC, the two primary schools will be operated similar to second-level community and comprehensive schools.
The "paymaster" will remain the Department of Education, the school board of management will still manage the school but instead of the Catholic Church as the main patron body, the VEC will be patron.
Director of the African Centre Benedicta Attoh told the conference that due to the current lack of parental choice regarding the type of schools, many parents are forced to send their children to denominational schools.