Vol. 467 No. 1
63 Mr. E. Byrne asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the fact that, in parts of Dublin, national schools are unable to provide places for local children in September 1996 and parents are being forced into the private system; the obligations, if any, on national schools to provide places for local children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12669/96]
I am aware of a few areas in Dublin where parents are having difficulty in enrolling children for next September. My Department is addressing these problems at present. I would be very concerned that any parent would be obliged to send a child to a private school because of a shortage of places in a national school.
The enrolment policy of national schools is generally a matter for the board of management of each school. However, my Department expects that schools will cater for their immediate catchment area in the first instance. If, after that, places remain available, schools may enrol pupils from outside their area, should there be a demand. Where more than one school caters for an area or parish, it is expected that these schools will liaise to ensure that all children in the area can be accommodated.
Individual schools should alert my Department, in good time, where the need for additional accommodation is anticipated or where alternative arrangements need to be made to provide extra pupil places. If the Deputy provides me with the details of particular cases he may have in mind, I will have these fully investigated.
