Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 8 Apr 2003

Vol. 564 No. 5

Written Answers - School Enrolment.

Jack Wall

Question:

218 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the fact that schools are capping classes to 29 to ensure that the students are in receipt of proper facilities; the effect this matter will have in regard to enrolment; if the Department will provide the extra facilities needed in such cases to ensure that pupils will be enrolled; the Department's position in relation to enrolment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10057/03]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. N. Dempsey)

The mainstream staffing of a primary school is determined by reference to the enrolment of the school on the 30 September of the previous school year. The number of mainstream teaching posts sanctioned is determined by reference to a staffing schedule, which is finalised for a particular school year following discussions with the education partners. The staffing schedule for the coming school year is outlined in a circular which has recently been issued by my Department to all boards of management. Accordingly, all boards will be aware of the actual staffing position for their schools.

It is the responsibility of the managerial authorities of schools that are not in a position to admit all pupils seeking entry to implement an enrolment policy in accordance with the Education Act. 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. In formulating an admissions policy a school must, however, ensure it is lawful. In particular, it must act in accordance with section 7 of the Equal Status Act 2000 which, subject to very limited exceptions, prohibits schools from discriminating against people in relation to a number of matters including the admission or the terms or conditions of admission of a person as a student to the school.

Where a board of management refuses to enrol a student in a school the parent of the student or, where the student has reached 18 years of age, the student, following the conclusion of any appeal procedures at school level, has a statutory entitlement under section 29 of the Education Act to appeal that decision to the Secretary General of the Department of Education and Science. A committee is established to hear the appeal with hearings conducted with a minimum of formality. In most cases appeals must be dealt with in 30 days. Where appropriate, the Secretary General may give whatever directions to the board of management that are considered necessary to remedy the matter complained of.

In addition, in cases where parents experience difficulties in having their child admitted to the school system, my Department gives assistance in securing a suitable school placement through the involvement of the inspectorate in a consultative process with the school authorities. In relation to the provision of extra facilities, the 2003 school building programme has now been published and full details in relation to individual projects are available on my Department's website at www.education.ie. On the basis of the budgetary allocation it was not possible to include any further projects in 2003. The budgetary allocation for 2004 and subsequent years will determine the rate of progress on applications-projects that could not be included in this year's programme.