Ireland: Catholic primary schools welcome child refugees

Father Tom Deenihan, General Secretary of the Catholic Primary Schools Management Association, today said that Catholic primary schools would be delighted to welcome and educate refugee children from Syria and other conflict areas when they arrive in Ireland. Father Deenihan said that the majority of schools have space to enrol children, and would be happy to do so.

Father Deenihan said: "Catholic parish schools have been to the fore in helping to integrate migrants into our local communities. Children of various creeds and nationality comprise the multi-national enrolment profile of Catholic schools throughout the country. All our pupils receive a quality education and in turn enrich the day-to-day life of our schools."

Father Deenihan added that the recent call by Pope Francis for parishes to offer a welcome to people who have suffered was also a call to Catholic parish schools to offer support. "As an integral part of local parish life in Ireland, Catholic schools would not be found wanting at this critical time for refugees," Father
Deenihan said.