Education Minister Norma Foley has indicated she will not support a proposal to ban same-sex schools.
The Labour Party has brought forward a bill that would phase out all single-sex schools over the next 15 years.
Labour education spokesperson Aodhán Ó Ríordáin published the bill to end single-gender school admission policies on Tuesday, with Deputy Ó Ríordáin stating 'the time has come to bring Ireland’s education system more in line with international norms'.
Minister for Education Norma Foley says she would not support the Labour Bill, however, said the decision should be made by the teachers themselves.
"It is ultimately a matter for the patron. Two-thirds of our schools are currently mixed-gender schools and I think that is a positive.
"It benefits society when we have every possible benefit of choice available in terms of parents' choices in choosing the educational path for students," Minister Foley said.
Commenting on his Bill, Labour Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin said that it is about addressing 'the legacy of single-gender schools'.
“The fact that so many of our schools are still separated by gender sends the wrong message to children at a young age about gender equality. At a local level, parents are questioning the status quo with most having a preference for mixed-gender schools where possible.
“Schools are supposed to reflect the society that they serve. The Department of Education has not given sanction to any new single-gender school since 1998 – making mixed-gender schools already effectively the policy of the Department.
"This Bill is about addressing the legacy of single-gender schools and move to fully gender-integrated schools within 10 years at primary level and 15 years at secondary level," the Labour TD said.
Last week a former Waterford Principal echoed the Labour spokesperson calls for an end to single-sex schools.
Former principal of the Mercy Senior School and a member of the International Confederation of Principals Maria Doyle told Déise Today it's time to put an end to these schools in Ireland.
Listen back to Maria's interview on Déise Today here.
