The Education Minister Joe McHugh has moved to reassure parents of children in schools marked for a change of patronage that Catholic holidays will remain in place.

It comes after parents in north Dublin were warned that their children may be prevented from celebrating the holidays, if school patronage is changed from a Catholic to non-denominational model.

In recent weeks, parents of two of the schools were sent letters warning that if they voted in favour of the change, their children would be prevented from celebrating holidays like Christmas, Easter and St Patrick's Day.

But Minister McHugh has slammed any such suggestion.

In a statement on Wednesday, he said: "A considerable amount of inaccurate information is being shared about what will happen if a school changes patron.

"These assertions have not been helpful. They are also creating fear and uncertainty.

"Just to be clear - Christmas will not be cancelled. Neither will any other typical school holiday like Eater or St Patrick's Day."

He continued: "Pancake Tuesday won't be banned. Nor will holidays or celebrations associated with the ancient Celtic/Pagan festival of Halloween.

"Assessing areas for potential new patrons is not about forcing change. No decisions on reconfiguration will be required by September."

Minister McHugh added: "I am appealing directly to schools, management bodies and boards of management not to issue claims that have no basis in fact.

"It's a bad example to be setting, particularly from those of us who are working to educate our young people".

A short message on the misinformation around surveys on attitudes towards a possible change of patron in schools... pic.twitter.com/wogQSyivtA

— Joe McHugh (@McHughJoeTD) April 3, 2019