Jack Wall
Question:408 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Education and Science when a person (details supplied) in County Kildare will be granted a school place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31695/01]
Written Answers. - School Places.
My Department is aware of the child referred to by the Deputy.
Enrolment in second level schools is the responsibility of the managerial authority of individual schools and my Department does not interfere in decisions made by schools in such matters. My Department's main responsibility is to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all pupils seeking second level places in an area. This may result, however, in some pupils not obtaining a place in the school of their first choice.
The national educational psychological service (NEPS) is available to all post primary schools recognised by my Department. NEPS can advise on the management of any difficulties that pupils might experience and which may present problems in a school setting. Where appropriate, it can also advise on any educational supports which might be required to ensure that a pupil's time in school is as productive and positive as possible.
Under section 29 of the Education Act 1998, an appeal may be made to the Secretary General of my Department in respect of a decision by a board of management, or by a person acting on behalf of the board of management, to: (a) permanently exclude a student from the school; (b) suspend a student from the school for a period which would bring the cumulative period of suspension to 20 school days in any one school year; or (c) refuse to enrol a student in the school.
Officials of my Department have been in contact with the parents of the child referred to by the Deputy and they have been advised of their right of appeal to the Secretary General of my Department.