Sir, – Observing the process of divestment of school patronage from religious institutions is like watching an uphill slow bicycle race on a glacier. Apart from the two Catholic schools which merged in Dublin 8 to create a vacant building for Educate Together, to date just one school – a Church of Ireland primary school in Co Mayo – has been transferred to another patron.
Pouring water onto the already slippery slope, Rev Patrick Burke (January 12th) writes that the "the people on the ground aren't as keen; in fact the reason that the idea isn't progressing is because of 'huge local hostility'".
How does Rev Burke square this claim with the results of the 2012 Department of Education surveys which showed parental demand for change of patron in 28 of the 43 areas surveyed? (“‘Catholic first’ school admissions policies may be illegal, January 3rd). Less water and more progress please. – Yours, etc,
ROB SADLIER,
Rathfarnham, Dublin 16.