Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 April 2004
398 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Science if a school place has been found for a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny in the Kilkenny VEC area; if an extra teacher will be allocated to the school at Ballyhale, County Kilkenny in order that the person can be accommodated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11675/04]
View answerThe selection and enrolment of pupils in second level schools is the responsibility of the management authorities. 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. That may result, however, in some pupils not obtaining a place in the school of their first choice. As schools may not have a place for every applicant, a selection process may be necessary.
Section 29 of the Education Act 1998 provides parents with an appeal process to the Secretary General of my Department where a board of management of a school or a person acting on behalf of the board refuses enrolment of a student. Where an appeal under section 29 is upheld, the Secretary General of my Department may direct a school to enrol a pupil.
The education welfare board is required to assist parents who are experiencing difficulty in ensuring that their children attend school regularly and will also assist schools in fulfilling their role under the Act. Through its educational welfare officers, the board provides a welfare-focused service accessible to parents, school and others concerned with the welfare of young people.
I understand that an application to enrol the student referred to by the Deputy has been made to Scoil Aireagail, Ballyhale. However, no decision has been made on that application. I further understand that an educational welfare officer has met the child's family and will be maintaining contact with them.
My Department allocates resource teaching support and special needs assistant support to second level schools and vocational education committees to cater for students with special educational needs. Applications for such support are made to my Department by the relevant school authority or VEC. Each application is considered on the basis of the assessed needs of the pupil or pupils involved, and the nature and level of the support provided is determined on the advice of the psychological service.
To date, my Department has not received an application for additional resources from the school in respect of the student in question.
