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School Enrolments

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 February 2018

Tuesday, 20 February 2018

Questions (215)

Danny Healy-Rae

Question:

215. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills the steps he will take to address the problem in which a school (details supplied) has a waiting list to enrol new pupils in September 2018 and will not be able to enrol all students; if temporary units will be provided to resolve this difficulty to allow all students attend their chosen school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8690/18]

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Written answers

In order to plan for school provision and analyse the relevant demographic data, my Department divides the country into 314 school planning areas. Nationwide demographic exercises involving all school planning areas at primary and post-primary level, which will determine where additional school accommodation will be needed in the future, is ongoing at the moment and it is anticipated that decisions based on the review will be announced in the coming weeks.

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.  My Department is aware that there is existing pupil capacity among schools in the school planning area where the school to which he refers is located.

It is the responsibility of the managerial authorities of all schools to implement an enrolment policy in accordance with the Education Act, 1998.

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.

In this regard, a Board of Management may find it necessary to prioritise enrolment of children from particular areas or particular age groups or on the basis of some other criterion. For example, some schools give priority to applicants who have attended a particular primary school (known as a feeder school).  The criteria to be applied by schools in such circumstances are a matter for the schools themselves.

This selection process and the enrolment policy on which it is based must be non-discriminatory and must be applied fairly in respect of all applicants. However, it may result in some pupils not obtaining a place in their school of first choice.

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