The Education Minister says parents have the right to say they do not want their children to study religion in school

Jan O'Sullivan was speaking after it emerged the board of a second-level school in Limerick is to consider whether a first-year pupil can be allowed opt out of studying religion.

A request from the student's father, Paul Drury, was rejected last week by Castletroy College.

Education Minister Jan O'Sullivan says parents should have the right to decide if their child receives religious education:

Local Anti Austerity Alliance Councillor Cian Prendiville said, "schools should respect people of all religious beliefs, this includes respecting those of no religious beliefs and atheists. The vast majority of the schools in Ireland are run by the Catholic Church, but everyone is entitled to an education or proper employment rights whether they are Catholic or not.

"It is not acceptable that students have the religion or religious ethos forced upon them," he added.