Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 March 2016
465. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding admission policies of secondary schools in Dublin Bay North and the long waiting lists for those persons living in the locality (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4975/16]
View answerIt is the responsibility of the managerial authorities of all schools to implement an enrolment policy in accordance with the Education Act, 1998. The enrolment policy must be non-discriminatory and must be applied fairly in respect of all applicants.
My Department's main responsibility is to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all pupils seeking school places in the area. Parents can choose which school to apply to and where the school has places available the pupil should be admitted. However, in schools where there are more applicants than places available a selection process may be necessary and this may result in some pupils not obtaining a place in the school of their first choice.
The Education (Admission to Schools) Bill, which was published in April of last year, provides an over-arching framework to ensure that how schools decide on who is enrolled and who is refused a place in schools is more structured, fair and transparent. It was not possible to bring this complex piece of legislation through both Houses of the Oireachtas in the timeframe available. However, I have made it clear that a legislative framework for school admission is required and needs to be a priority for the next government.
