The Education Ministry has denied it requested heads of Church schools to provide personal details which would identify children attending such schools.

The ministry said what it asked for was the number of children in church schools suffering from serious allergies and other serious illnesses which could lead to death.

The request was made for the ministry to be in a position to provide a first aid service. Such a service had been requested by parents and teachers.

The Secretariat for Catholic Education confirmed the ministry’s statement.

It said, however, that it asked its schools for the particulars of students taking any medication or needing any other medical intervention not covered by any current job description.

It said it asked for such details to avoid misunderstanding and to provide a picture of the situation that was as accurate as possible.

The secretariat said that in view of advice it was given by the Data Commission Office, it was now revoking its request.