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School Enrolments

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 May 2013

Tuesday, 28 May 2013

Questions (264, 279)

Gerry Adams

Question:

264. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he or his Department have been in contact with the principal or board of management of a school (details supplied) in County Louth in relation to their planned intake for September 2013; if his Department have raised concerns on this issue; the steps being put in place to resolve this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25573/13]

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Gerry Adams

Question:

279. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will consider appointing a person from the planning section of his Department to arbitrate between the board of management of a school (details supplied) in County Louth, the school patron, other schools principals and boards of management of other primary schools in the northern Drogheda region, County Louth, to resolve issues relating to pupil intake for September 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25690/13]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 264 and 279 together.

I wish to confirm for the Deputy that my Department has communicated with the Board of Management of the school to which he refers relating to the matters raised. The school in question was established to become a fully vertical school that would grow incrementally each year and develop naturally over time to become a 16 mainstream teacher school. The school was recognised to be one of a number of primary schools that would meet the current and future needs in the area. The granting of recognition by my Department was on that understanding and this position has not changed. On this basis, the school would be expected to enrol a maximum of two Junior Infant classes annually and to fill its 16-classrooms on an incremental basis each year, culminating ultimately in two classes of each stream up to sixth standard.

My Department has previously communicated its views to this effect to both the Board of Management and Patron. My Department is aware that the Patron has also conveyed his views, which coincide with those of my Department, to the Board of Management and has directed the Board to take appropriate action to rectify the situation that currently prevails.

My Department has no role in the matter of the enrolment practices of individual schools and it would be inappropriate for me to appoint an arbitrator as proposed. My Department's main responsibility is to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all pupils seeking school places in an area. However, this may result in some pupils not obtaining a place in the school of their first choice. My Department considers that the 16-classroom building for the school in question, together with the existing primary schools, provides sufficient primary school capacity in this area.

Question No. 265 answered with Question No. 249.
Question No. 266 answered with Question No. 75.
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