A Catholic primary school refused to give a child a homework pass for failing to attend a religious ceremony, according to a report by the Irish Times.

The parent of the child in question has claimed that he was one of two students who did not attend the ceremony, and that they were both given homework as a result, while the other students were not.

How difficult is it for parents to opt their children out of religion at the schools they attend?

Michael Nugent, chair of Atheist Ireland, says schools such as these are punishing children for not following a particular religion, and that the Catholic church is using these schools to "evangelise".

David Quinn, Sunday Times columnist and head of the Iona Institute, thinks Catholic schools have to show "maximum flexibility".

He also says there is a need for more non-denominational schools who provide for parents who don't want a faith-based education for their children.

Listen to the interview in full by pressing the play button on this page.