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School Enrolments.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 February 2007

Tuesday, 20 February 2007

Questions (415)

Joan Burton

Question:

488 Ms Burton asked the Minister for Education and Science the position of a number of children who meet all the criteria of living locally and have siblings in the school but have been refused a place in a school (details supplied) in Dublin 15; the action she will take in view of the fact that there has been repeated requests for additional accommodation, particularly the gym which has not been supplied by her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6101/07]

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Written answers

Enrolment in individual schools is the responsibility of the managerial authority of those schools and the Department does not seek to intervene in decisions made by schools in such matters. The Department's main responsibility is to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all pupils seeking places. This may result, however, in some pupils not obtaining a place in the school of their first choice.

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 of a pupil to the school.

Currently, under Section 29 of the Education Act 1998, parents of a student who has been refused enrolment in a school may appeal that decision to the Secretary General of this Department. Such appeals are dealt with within 30 days of their receipt and where an appeal is upheld the Secretary General is empowered to direct the school to enrol the student. Otherwise, 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.

On a general note, at post primary level, students have increased mobility as evidenced by the fact that a large number of pupils from the area in question here travel outside of their immediate vicinity to other schools. While I am satisfied that there are sufficient post primary places available both within the immediate area or within a short commuting distance to cater for demand currently, I am conscious that there is also significant on-going housing development in the area. The Department is examining the need for another post primary school on this basis.

To ease pressure on places in the area overall, I have given the go-ahead for the delivery of a new 1,000 pupil post-primary school in Phibblestown and sites have been reserved for further post primary schools in both Tyrrelstown and Hansfield.

With regard to the proposed PE Hall project for the school referred to by the Deputy, this was included in my announcement of May 2006 to progress to tender and construction.

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