asked the Minister for Education if she has any plans to rectify the apparent discrimination against all-Irish schools as against non-denominational schools, in that all-Irish schools are not allowed to include pupils who have indicated their desire to transfer to their proposed schools when numbers are being assessed prior to the opening of such a school.
Written Answers. - Enrolment in All-Irish Schools.
21.
I cannot accept that differences in enrolment practices between different types of school can be attributable to discrimination in favour of one type as against another.
In the case of all-Irish schools, it has been long-established practice, which has been supported by Gaelscoileanna, the organisation responsible for the development of these schools, that enrolment of new pupils should be confined as far as possible to those who had not previously attended school.
This matter has been the subject of recent correspondence between my Department and Gaelscoileanna. I will arrange that any proposals that may emerge will be announced in advance of the coming school-year.