Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 21 Feb 1995

Vol. 449 No. 4

Written Answers - Accomodation Needs of Primary Education.

Seamus Brennan

Question:

108 Mr. S. Brennan asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the fact that her policy on the accommodation needs of primary education is preventing a person (details supplied) in County Dublin from securing a place at Mount Anville primary school and St. Raphaela's national school, both serving her parish, or St. Therese's national school and Our Lady's Grove primary school in view of the shortage of classrooms in all cases; her views on whether the person, who has spent two years at montessori school and has been on waiting lists for up to 18 months, is entitled to be educated in her home parish; her further views on whether the person should have to be bussed out of home parish to attend primary school; and if she will make a statement on the matter in view of the difficulties now facing the child's parents. [3607/95]

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

It is the board of management of a national school which sets the enrolment policy for that school and, while parents are usually able to have their children enrolled in the school of their first choice, local circumstances may be such at a particular time that a board of management may find it necessary to restrict enrolment to those from a particular area or a particular age group.

My Department has investigated the circumstances of this case and is satisfied that, taking the two schools catering for girls and this parish, the Mount Anville and St. Raphaela's schools, sufficient classroom accommodation exists to cater for the child in question. She has not been refused a place in St Raphaela's national school but has been placed on a waiting list of children to be considered for acceptance. It is inevitable that, at this time of the year when some parents may have booked their children into a number of schools or may not have reached final decisions as to whether their children should commence primary education next September, it may appear that a situation is developing where the supply of school places in a given area will not meet the demand. My Department does not anticipate such a situation arising in so far as provision for girls in Kilmacud parish is concerned.