Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 26 November 2020
268. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Education if the new ASD unit in a school (details supplied) will be offering places exclusively to children already in the school; and if applications will be accepted for new students. [39373/20]
View answerThe National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has advised that a new special class for children with autism was sanctioned for the school referred to by the Deputy in October 2020. It is planned to open the class at the start of the 2021/2022 school year. I understand the school are taking applications for the class this year.
It is the responsibility of the managerial authorities of all schools to implement an enrolment policy in accordance with the Education Act 1998. In schools where there are more applicants than places available a selection process may be necessary.
The selection process used by schools 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.
In accordance with the provisions of the Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018, all schools have drafted new policies to be published on the school’s website.
The Act requires schools to clearly set out their selection criteria, for application in the event of oversubscription, in their admission policies. The criteria to be applied by schools and the order of priority are a matter for schools themselves.
Further information on the new admission process is available on the Department’s website at the following link: https://www.education.ie/en/Parents/Information/School-Enrolment/.
