A new survey has found that three out of four parents want primary schools to be managed by the State, with equal status and opportunity for all religions.
The Red C poll was commissioned by the Irish Primary Principals' Network.
It also found that six out of ten parents would prefer that some of the two and a half hours per week currently spent on religion be given to other subjects, in particular to physical and health education.
Such a large majority in favour of State-run schools and equal opportunity for all religions will be seen as clear endorsement of the decision by Minister for Education Batt O'Keeffe to pilot a new model of multi-faith community national schools in Dublin next September.
