The Minister for Education has criticised what he has called "a considerable amount of inaccurate information" that has been shared about what happens when a school changes patron.
In a statement on Twitter, Joe McHugh appealed "directly" to schools, management bodies and boards of management "not to issue claims that have no basis in fact".
Responding to information circulated by a number of Catholic primary schools in north Dublin, Mr McHugh said: "Christmas will not be cancelled. Neither will any other typical school holiday like Easter or St Patrick's Day".
He said that "Pancake Tuesday won't be banned. Nor will holidays or celebrations associated with the ancient Celtic/Pagan festival of Halloween".
The minister said that claims to the contrary were "a bad example to be setting, particularly from those of us who are working to educate our young people".
The comments come after three north Dublin Catholic primary schools wrote letters to parents stating that a transfer to multi-denominational patronage would mean that festivals like Christmas and St Patrick's Day would no longer be celebrated.
The schools also told parents that greetings like 'Dia dhuit' may no longer be permitted, that child safety may also be compromised, and that the role of grandparents in children's lives could no longer be celebrated.
Educate Together hits out at 'misleading' claims
The State's largest provider of multi-denominational education has slammed what it says are the "grossly misleading and inaccurate" claims made by Catholic schools about its model of education.
Educate Together has called on school leaders "to be aware of their responsibility to provide parents and the general public with accurate information".
It reiterated that all of this information is "categorically untrue".
A spokesperson said it was "outrageous" to suggest that its schools did not celebrate the role of grandparents.
On the subject of Christmas, Educate Together said that it was up to individual ET schools to decide how best to celebrate such important cultural events in the lives of children.
It said school decisions were grounded in the wishes of their parent bodies, and the celebration could be based around the theme of Christmas or a 'winter festival', depending on the local community. The organisation said there would not be any religious hymns sung at such events.
The organisation added: "we can only assume that these statements are directed against Educate Together’s equality-based school model".
It goes on to call into question additional allegations that its schools are engaging in "a number of unsafe and negative practices" such as compromising on child safety, having "low standards" of education, and leading to "uncertainty" in local access to secondary education.
The body, which runs almost 100 schools in the State, has said "none of this is true".
ETB Ireland dismisses claims
A second multi-denominational education provider, the country's education and training boards, has rejected the claims made by schools.
The boards run 14 multi-denominational primary schools, known as community national schools.
The General Secretary of ETB Ireland said the claims were inaccurate and that parents and possibly staff had been misled.
In a statement, Nessa White said that in community national schools the religious belief and identity of all children is recognised equally. She said multi-denominational religious education is part of the curriculum.
Addressing concerns that a change in patronage could have negative consequences on the terms and conditions of teachers, she said that under an ETB teacher and special needs assistant (SNA) terms and conditions would remain the same as before.
Ms White said community national schools cater equally to children of all faiths and beliefs, providing a progressive multi-denominational education for both Catholics and non-Catholics alike, and allowing local parishes to facilitate preparation for the sacraments.
Ms White said she could not envisage a day where a child would be unable to make their First Holy Communion or Confirmation due to a transfer of patronage.
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Third Dublin school sends letter warning of consequences over changing patronage
Parents need to make informed choices over school patronage
Parents at the north Dublin schools are being consulted on proposals that one of eight Catholic schools in the Portmarnock/Malahide area be transferred to multi-denominational patronage, in order to address a need for diverse provision in the area.
Educate Together says that it has not been consulted regarding any divestments in Malahide/Portmarnock.
The organisation is calling for a forum where all stakeholders can exchange opinions and information.
CEO Paul Rowe told RTÉ News that Educate Together would be happy to go to the area and explain their model of education to parents. He expressed concern at the fact that the organisation had not been invited to participate in any of the information meetings being held in the area last week and this week.
A parent at St Oliver Plunkett School in the area has told RTÉ News that a number of parents requested that Educate Together and other multi-denominational bodies be invited to address information meetings held by the school.
This parent said the school authorities said that this would not be possible. The meetings were attended by the Catholic Primary School Managers' Association, which represents the Catholic schools' sector.
RTÉ News has received a copy of information sent to parents at St Oliver Plunkett's.
In language remarkably similar to that used in communications to parents at three other schools in the area the document also warns of a loss of Christmas and St Patrick's Day celebrations.
The schools warns that any transfer from Catholic patronage to multi-denominational could also result in the loss of a "sense of hope in times of loss or crisis".
Parents were also warned that initiatives such as a healthy eating programme, the school's garden fete, and its junior entrepreneurship project may not be facilitated if the school changed patronage.
This warning was issued by the St Oliver Plunkett's Parents' Association.
Educate Together has expressed surprise that parents would have been told this. It has reiterated today that it would be willing and keen to visit the schools and explain its model of education to parents.
It has urged parents who want more information on what it says is its unique, inclusive and equality-based school ethos to consult its website.
Educate Together was established in 1970. Its schools currently cater to more than 28,000 children.
It says a founding principle of its approach to education is that all children are treated with equal respect, regardless of social, cultural or religious backgrounds.
A number of parents have contacted RTÉ News expressing concern about how the consultation process is being run.
The parents of preschool children were surveyed to measure demand for change, and while the results have not been published, it is believed 26% said they wanted multi-denominational education for their child.
Currently 97% of primary school places in the area are in denominational - mostly Catholic - schools.
One parent has told RTÉ News: "I filled in the preschool survey last September, as my young daughter is in preschool. I voted for multi-denominational but where is my voice now? My voice, and the voices of the other 26% that voted for multi-denominational schools, is being silenced by the ignorant claims of the local schools".
