Less than 50% of teachers teach religion willingly
A new survey from the Irish National Teachers Organisation says less than half of primary school teachers teach religion willingly.
And more than 70% of teachers say that preparing their pupils for the sacraments takes up more classroom time than is officially made available.
The INTO polled 363 teachers on religion in primary school at the end of last year.
The survey found that just less than 49%of teachers taught religion willingly - a 12% decrease on the same question a decade ago.
But there was also an increase of 8% in those not opposed to teaching religion compared to 2002.
The poll looked at the amount of extra time teachers dedicated to preparing children for their communion and confirmation outside religion class.
They reported anything from an extra 30 minutes to nine hours of time inside school per week.
In addition, teachers reported that anything from a half an hour to ten hours outside of school was given to sacramental preparation.
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