No new Catholic or Church of Ireland national schools are due to open in September, as multi-denominational schools and Gaelscoileanna gain in popularity instead.
For the first time in many years, the Department of Education has not approved any denominational schools for opening at the beginning of the school year. It has given recognition to seven multi-denominational schools and three Gaelscoileanna.
In recent years the number of new Catholic or Church of Ireland primary schools looking for recognition has been falling steadily. To be a publicly funded primary school, recognition must be received by the Department of Education. Educate Together, the body which represents the multi-denominational sector, welcomed the latest figures yesterday.
Its chief executive, Mr Paul Rowe, said: "This is over twice the largest number of multi-denominational schools ever opened in a single year. It is also more that twice the number of schools opened by any other sector of Irish education this year.
"The fact that multi-denominational education is now the fastest growing sector has wide significance for the future development of education in Ireland," he said.
The multi-denominational schools are due to open in Waterford, Navan, Co Meath; Donabate in north Dublin; Tralee, Co Kerry; Glasnevin on Dublin's northside;Griffeen Valley in Lucan, Dublin and Ardee in Co Louth.
The multi-denominational sector now has 28 schools in the Republic. Initially, the movement proved to be popular in Dublin and outlying areas, but in recent years the number of multi-denominational schools in rural areas has also increased.
Under the Education Act 1998, the State is obliged to provide parents with a choice of education options, including different types of schools. However, in many areas the only school available is a denominational one, normally under Catholic management. Educate Together has made submissions to the Equality Authority on this and related issues. It claims true choice is still not being offered to parents. Catholic primary schools remain the most common throughout the country.
The number of Church of Ireland primary schools has stayed relatively constant over the last decade, although some of their schools - such as the new school in Ardee - have transformed themselves into multi-denominational schools. A new arrival on the scene are Muslim schools, with two starting up in Dublin.
The Department of Education said yesterday that while 10 schools had been given recognition, some others were still awaiting a decision. However, none are Catholic or Church of Ireland schools.