Officials of my Department have contacted the National Educational Welfare Board in relation to the child referred to by the Deputy. The board was not previously aware of this case. The educational welfare officer for the area will contact the child's parents and assist them in securing a school place for their child.
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 educational welfare officer can assist parents in submitting an appeal under section 29 of the Education Act 1998.