Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 19 January 2022
736. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Education the number of primary school children expected to need junior infant places in September 2022 versus the number of spaces in local primary schools for an area (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63436/21]
View answerThe areas referred to by the Deputy are part of the Scribblestown/Finglas West Primary School Planning Area.
There are 8 primary schools in this school planning area offering junior infant places and the projected requirement for junior infant places for the new school year, 2022/23 is 229. My Department understands that there is sufficient capacity in the schools in the school planning area to meet this need.
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 and the Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018. My Department's main responsibility is to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all pupils seeking school places in that area.
Under the provisions of the Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018, all schools are required to have drafted new admissions policies, which have been approved by the patron, following consultation with staff and parents of children who are attending the school. The newly revised school’s admissions policy is published on the schools website. It is a key requirement of the act that all school admission policies are fair and transparent.
