Seconding the Board of Education report at the General Synod today, the Venerable Robin Bantry White (Cork, Cloyne and Ross) noted that while the two parts of the report refer to the two jurisdictions, "when analyzed, each jurisdiction similarly presents a troubled and glum picture for this church’s involvement and influence." "For I regret to have to report" he continued, "the picture of education at both primary and second-level in the Republic is quite bleak, and deeply frustrating."

At secondary level, Archdeacon Bantry-White said, "the decision by the then Minister for Education and Science Mr Batt O`Keefe to realign our schools out of the free scheme are continuing to cause hardship and suffering to the students in our schools and their parents.... The Board of Education still maintains that this is due to a persistent misunderstanding of the circumstances that pertain in our schools between the funding of and the provision of secondary education to our children." He went on to express his hope that, "the new Minister for Education and Skills, Ms Mary Coughlan TD will be open to considering ways to restore a modicum of equality to us in the matter....It is no exaggeration to say that for many Protestant secondary schools, 2010 and 2011 will mark a cross roads where tough decisions will have to be made about the way they will provide secondary education into the future."

At primary level, Archdeacon Bantry-White welcomed the apparent postponement of some of the cuts outlined in the McCarthy report which, he said, "if implemented, would have sounded the death knell for rural National Schools across the state." Concluding his remarks, Archdeacon Bantry-White expressed concern at the waiting time for Garda vetting which he said, "has risen from an unacceptable eight weeks last year to a disgraceful sixteen weeks at present." Noting that the Bishop of Cork has written to the Minister for Children, Barry Andrews TD on the matter he said, "We trust that those who cater for children and especially the voluntary bodies will be more correctly treated in the future."

Speaking from the floor the Archdeacon of Meath and Kildare, the Venerable Lesley Stevenson expressed concern at the risk to the ethos of Church of Ireland schools by increasing numbers. Mr AG Oughton (Meath and Kildare) said that Protestant fee-paying Schools have suffered from “disproportionate discrimination” under the present Government. He highlighted the withdrawal of the free books scheme from Protestant schools in particular. “I would ask the new Minister, Ms Coughlan to withdraw that as a sign of good faith towards the Protestant community.” Alec Atcheson (Cashel) emphasized the importance of education for children with special educational needs. “I feel we need to look at this 19th century system of scholarships because it’s unfair [on special needs children].” Des Wallace (Cashel) said that gaelscoil are still being funded in full by the Department of Education. “If that is not disproportionate discrimination I don’t know what is” he said. The Very Revd A Williams (Elphin and Ardagh) asked if we could simplify Garda vetting. “There is scope to simplify some of the Garda Vetting forms without putting people in any danger.” On another topic he expressed disappointment that some Protestant schools don’t offer religious education at Leaving Cert level.

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