The majority of primary school teachers believe preparation for Confirmation or Communion shouldn't take place in the classroom.

Just 4% believe schools should have responsibility for communion and confirmation preparation.

The same survey found a third of the teachers taught religion willingly, 20% said they'd prefer if they didn't have to, while one in five said they would prefer not to instruct in only one particular faith.

July 19, 2010 - Studio - First Holy Communion Badge; Studio (Credit Image: © Peter Mccabe/Design Pics via ZUMA Wire)

The Catholic Church is currently in charge of nine out of ten primary schools.

Just over 1,000 teachers responded to the questionnaire by the Irish National Teachers' Organisation, which is holding its annual conference in Galway this week.