Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 November 2013
68. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the options available to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare who was expelled from their school and currently is endeavouring to secure a place in an alternative second level school in view of the fact they are facing difficulties; if in such circumstances a second level education is likely to be available to them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48664/13]
View answer74. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills how best a second level school place can be acquired in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48755/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 68 and 74 together.
Section 29 of the Education Act, 1998 provides for an appeal by a parent or guardian to the Secretary General of my Department, or in the case of an Education and Training Board (ETB) school to the ETB in the first instance, where a Board of Management of a school, or a person acting on behalf of the Board, refuses to enrol a student in a school, expels a student or suspends a student for 20 or more days in any school year. My Department has no authority to compel a school to admit a pupil, except in the case of an appeal under section 29 of the Education Act, 1998 being upheld.
Under section 15 (2) (d) of the Education Act, 1998, each school is legally obliged to disclose its enrolment policy and to ensure that as regards that policy that principles of equality and the right of parents to send their children to a school of the parents choice are respected.
Section 29 appeal forms are available from my Departments website or directly from section 29 Administration Unit. The contact details for section 29 Administration Unit is Section 29 Department of Education & Skills, Friars Mill Road, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath or by phone 044 9337018.
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 may be able to offer assistance and advice on securing a school placement within the pupil's area. The contact details for the NEWB is National Educational Welfare Board, Block 3, South Dublin County council, Tallaght, Dublin 24, phone number 01-4635513.
