Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 December 2006
456 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will ensure that sufficient Gaelcolaiste places are made available in Dublin for those leaving gaelscoileanna for the next four years, such as a person (details supplied) in Dublin 12; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41115/06]
View answer459 Mr. Crowe asked the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to the concerns of parents whose children are currently attending a school (details supplied) in Dublin 6W and who are attempting to secure their children’s future in an Irish speaking secondary school in view of the that fact that the nearest one is over an hour’s commute away for most of the parents; and if she will make a statement on dealing with this shortage of places for school children in this area. [41136/06]
View answer489 Mr. Ardagh asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will provide a gaelcholáiste in the Dublin 12 area to cater for the growing number of children already attending gaelscoileanna in the area (details supplied). [41375/06]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 456, 459 and 489 together.
School enrolment is a matter for Board of Managements. The parent in question should, therefore, apply for enrolment, in the normal way, to the Gaelcholáistí in the area. Section 29 of the Education Act 1998, provides parents with an appeal process where a Board of Management of a school or a person acting on behalf of the Board refuses enrolment to a student. Where a school refuses to enrol a pupil, the school is obliged to inform parents of their right under Section 29 of Education Act 1998 to appeal that decision to the Secretary General of my Department. Only where an appeal under Section 29 is upheld can the Secretary General of my Department direct a school to enrol a pupil.
The National Educational Welfare Board (NEWB) is the statutory agency which can assist parents who are experiencing difficulty in securing a school place for their child. The NEWB can be contacted at National Educational Welfare Board, National Headquarters, 16-22 Green Street, Dublin 7 or by telephone at 01-8738700.
In addition, I can confirm to the Deputy that the Department is in receipt of an application to establish an additional Gaelcholáiste in the South Dublin area. This application is currently under consideration and a decision will be communicated to the proposer as soon as possible.
