Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 December 2020
379. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Education if her Department is considering the introduction of a universal secondary school application process for pupils in towns and cities in order to alleviate the issue of a pupil making multiple applications to numerous schools in their catchment areas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39580/20]
View answerMy Department has no plans to set up universal application processes for post primary schools referred to by the Deputy. However in certain areas schools have independently established a shared application process. The question of enrolment in individual schools, are the responsibility of the school authorities and my Department does not seek to intervene in decisions made by schools in such matters. It is the responsibility of school authorities to implement an enrolment policy in accordance with the Education Act 1998 and the Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018. 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.
My Department's main responsibility is to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all pupils seeking places.
