An Ennis principal has defended the teaching of religion to pupils in schools, saying he doesn't know "where else they could learn it".

It comes as new figures from the Department of Education show that more students now attend multi-denominational post-primary schools than Catholic schools.

A total of 206,792 students are enrolled in multi-denominational post-primary schools, making up 48.6% of enrolments, while those attending Catholic schools account for 47.6%.

St. Flannan's College now boasts students of 29 different nationalities among its roll call, and its principal, Father Ignatius McCormack, believes school should be a place where information about all religions can be sought.