Taoiseach Enda Kenny formally opened the first Church of Ireland privately run but State-funded secondary school to be established since the foundation of the State.

Temple Carrig Secondary School in Wicklow's Greystones has a Church of Ireland patron despite the fact that just 20% of its students come from a Church of Ireland background.

In a statement the Diocese of Dublin and Glendalough said while the school was under Church of Ireland management, it had been established to provide secondary education to children from the local area, rather than exclusively to children of its own faith.

However the school's admissions policy gives preferential treatment to Church of Ireland children whose families are active in their parish.

News: An Taoiseach Enda Kenny Officially Opens Temple Carrig School, Greystones: An Taoiseach Enda Kenny officially… https://t.co/bxACeGjbAU pic.twitter.com/Fltv1SgWEa — Church of Ireland (@churchofireland) October 7, 2016

It also states that full acceptance of the school's Religious Education and Spirituality Development Policy is a condition of acceptance of any offer of a place.

Temple Carrig's official opening took place today with Mr Kenny and the Church of Ireland Archbishop of Dublin, Dr Michael Jackson officiating.

"This is a beautiful building, but it's just a building. It is the pupils, their parents and teachers and the staff that make it an educational facility. All of you will make your mark," the Taoiseach said.

The school is what is known as a "voluntary" school. This means it is privately run but funded by the State.

More than half of all post-primary schools here are voluntary and religious-run.