The Minister for Education is calling on parents in the Castlebar area to take part in an online survey on primary school patronage, before next week's deadline.

Castlebar is one of five locations chosen for the first phase of the survey which asks parents who they would like to see running their local primary schools in the future. 

At present, most primary schools are under the patronage of the Catholic Church. If the survey finds a demand for an alternative, the department of education will explore other options.

According to Castlebar-based Labour Councillor Harry Barrett, indications are the uptake on the survey is slow and this is a source of concern to the department. 

The closing date for responding to the survey is Friday, November 9 and parents can log on to www.education.ie to take part.