Responsibility for school patronage

A chara, – The Government must be greatly pleased with the ongoing discussion in The Irish Times on school patronage (Letters, March 28th) and the matter of schools setting priorities in accepting pupils.

The Government fails to provide in good time for the required number of appropriate school places; each school is left to establish its priorities when demand exceeds places, and naturally does so according to its ethos.

The schools get the blame, no matter what criteria they apply, and the Government looks on happily from the sidelines! – Is mise, PÁDRAIG McCARTHY Sandyford, Dublin 16.