45% of parents prefer non-denominational

45% of parents in Cork with children in primary school would like to see their school’s ethos be made non-denominational.

Cork is slightly above the national average of 40%.

The figures were released as part of a national Primary School Survey carried out by the Department of Education and Youth.

The survey received over 200,000 validated responses.

As of 2025, there are 337 primary schools in Cork, according to records obtained from the Department of Education and Youth.

Of those, 304 - just over 90% - follow a Catholic ethos. Church of Ireland schools make up 5.6% with 19 schools, and multi-denominational schools account for 4% with 14 schools around the county.

Parents were asked their preferences on schools’ denominations, single-sex vs. co-educational, and whether or not English should remain the primary language of instruction.

On their preference between single-sex and co-educational schools, 70% of primary school parents in Cork who sent their children to a single-sex school said they would prefer if it transitioned to co-education.

Meanwhile, 87.8% of parents said they wanted their school to teach primarily through English rather than through Irish.

Minister for Education and Youth Hildegarde Naughton said the level of engagement from parents showed that they wished to take a central role in shaping school policy.

“The future of each school will be guided not by a one-size-fits-all approach, but by the preferences of its own parents, guardians and wider school community.

“In some communities, there is a strong desire to maintain existing traditions and ethos. In others, there is a clear appetite for change, whether in relation to school type or structure. That diversity of views must be respected and reflected,” she said.

The department said detailed school-specific reports will be circulated by the beginning of May, which it said will “support patrons, boards of management, staff and parents in considering next steps and their future direction”.

However, the department stressed any decisions on the ethos or other policy of any school would be solely the purview of the school itself.