Vol. 553 No. 2
283 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Education and Science if his Department will provide a place for a person (details supplied) in County Waterford in the school in their own locality; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13036/02]
The compulsory school starting age in a national school is six years of age and rule 64 (1) of the rules for national schools provides that a child must be at least four years of age before she/he may be enrolled in a national school. Children of compulsory school-going age must have a place in a national school and overall there are more than enough places available.
It is the responsibility of the managerial authorities of schools to implement an enrolment policy in accordance with the Education Acts. In this regard a board of management may find it necessary to restrict enrolment to children from a particular area or a particular age group or, occasionally, on the basis of some other criterion.
My Department will carry out an investigation where it is claimed that a board is operating its enrolment policy in a manner which discriminates against a particular child. On the basis of the details supplied by the Deputy this does not appear to be the case in this instance.
Generally, eligibility for school transport is determined by reference to distance from the nearest suitable school. In order to be eligible for free transport, children must live at least two miles from and be attending their nearest school. If the Deputy provides the name of the school to which the pupil is seeking transport, my Department will have the case investigated as a matter of urgency.
