Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 May 2017
133. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills if an assurance will be given to parents of children in a school's (details supplied) catchment area who have not secured a place in 2017 to the effect they will be accommodated in another school in September 2018. [23548/17]
View answer134. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills to outline his plans to aid a school (details supplied) to facilitate an extra class for the school year in September 2017. [23549/17]
View answer135. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills to outline his plans to aid a school (details supplied) to secure an extra class for the school year beginning in September 2017. [23550/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 133 to 135, inclusive, together.
My Department is aware that there have been some enrolment issues in the area referred to by the Deputy, for September 2017. In that context my Department is in ongoing direct contact with primary schools in the area in respect of their junior infant capacity.
As the Deputy may be aware, there are 13 primary schools in the area referred to of which 11 schools enroll junior infants: two of the schools are Senior Primary Schools catering for 3rd to 6th class only.
In respect of the schools referred to by the Deputy, my Department is in ongoing communication with the Patron regarding the level of junior infant intake in September 2017. My Department can confirm that assurances have been given to parents, by the school in question, that, should they not secure a school place for September 2017, that they will be offered a junior infant place for September 2018.
While I understand that some pupils may not obtain a place in the school of their first choice, my Department’s main responsibility is to ensure that the schools in an area can, between them, cater for the demand for Junior Infant places in September 2017.
