I was delighted to read about the €20 million investment to be made by the Church in extending five of its schools. The investment will see more students being given the possibility of entering Church schools, together with the abolition of the concept of streaming (i.e. the vetting of students through examinations). A few months ago, when the government launched its policy document on the transition from primary to secondary education, sceptics were quick to announce that the Church would never agree with the government's premise that streaming was causing undue stress on young children.

The Church's announced investment therefore creates new hope that the government's proposed restructuring in the education system will move forward on all fronts; let the sceptics take note.