Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 21 November 2019
84. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the way in which pupils that have been turned down for a school place due to capacity issues and have accepted a place in another location can be reconsidered if a place becomes available in the original location; if such arrangements are school specific; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48383/19]
View answerMy 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. In relation to school admissions, it is the responsibility of the managerial authorities of all schools to implement an enrolment policy in accordance with the Education Act, 1998.
Parents have the right to 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. 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, this may result in some pupils not obtaining a place in the school of their first choice.
The enrolment of a child to a school is a matter, in the first instance, for the parents of the child and the Board of Management of a school. It is open to the parents to contact the school, and request that their children are maintained on the waiting list. My Department has no role in relation to processing applications for enrolment or maintenance of waiting lists in schools.
