Thursday, 29 Jun 2023

Written Answers Nos. 269-282

Schools Building Projects

Questions (269)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

269. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the progress to date in relation to the three-school project at Hazelhatch, Celbridge, County Kildare, incorporating a replacement school (details supplied) which is now an urgent requirement and two other schools on a single site; if all the necessary road and realignment works have been completed by the local authority to facilitate this progress; when construction work will start in respect of each of the schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31937/23]

Written answers

Minister for Education

The project the Deputy refers to has been devolved to the National Development Finance Agency (NDFA) for delivery as part of bundled school building programmes. The shared education campus at Celbridge is in the bundle referred to as ‘Project Liffey’.

A letter was issued by the Department to the schools to advise that their respective school had been included in the programme and the NDFA has since been in contact with each school to introduce the team, communicate arrangements and discuss the project briefs.

The NDFA are currently engaged in meetings to establish the tenders required to appoint a design team. The NDFA have been in contact with the schools in regards to this information and will continue to update the schools as this project progresses.

At this early stage, it is not possible to provide a timeline for completion of the project; the NDFA will be engaging directly with the school authorities to keep them informed of progress.

School Accommodation

Questions (270)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

270. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the extent to which primary school places at Broadford, County Kildare, continue to be assessed, with a view to ensuring that accommodation is sufficient to meet population increases; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31938/23]

Written answers

Minister for Education

In order to plan for school place needs, my Department divides the country into 314 school planning areas and utilises a Geographical Information System to anticipate school place demand. Information from a range of sources, including Child Benefit data, school enrolment data and information on residential development activity is used for this purpose.  Additionally, Project Ireland 2040 population and housing targets inform my Department's projections of school place requirements. 

While my Department is aware of enrolment pressures and demand for additional school places in some areas, it is important to note that where enrolment pressures arise, it may not be as a result of lack of accommodation but may be driven by the following factors:

• Duplication of applications – pupils have applied for a place to a number of schools in the area

• School of choice – pupils can’t get a place in their preferred school while there are places in other schools in the town/area

• Some towns/areas have single sex schools and while places are available in the school they are not available to all pupils

• External draw – pupils coming from outside the local area

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.  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.

Broadford is part of the Naas School Planning Area.  There are currently a number of active projects at primary level in the Naas SPA which will increase local capacity, including new school building projects at Mercy Convent Primary School and St Corban’s BNS, and an extension project at Scoil an Linbh Íosa.

My Department will continue to keep the school place requirements in Broadford, as with other areas across the country, under review.

School Accommodation

Questions (271)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

271. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the extent to which primary school places at Johnstownbridge, County Kildare, continue to be assessed, with a view to ensuring that accommodation is sufficient to meet population increases; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31939/23]

Written answers

Minister for Education

In order to plan for school place needs, my Department divides the country into 314 school planning areas and utilises a Geographical Information System to anticipate school place demand. Information from a range of sources, including Child Benefit data, school enrolment data and information on residential development activity is used for this purpose.  Additionally, Project Ireland 2040 population and housing targets inform my Department's projections of school place requirements. 

While my Department is aware of enrolment pressures and demand for additional school places in some areas, it is important to note that where enrolment pressures arise, it may not be as a result of lack of accommodation but may be driven by the following factors:

• Duplication of applications – pupils have applied for a place to a number of schools in the area

• School of choice – pupils can’t get a place in their preferred school while there are places in other schools in the town/area

• Some towns/areas have single sex schools and while places are available in the school they are not available to all pupils

• External draw – pupils coming from outside the local area

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.  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.

Johnstownbridge is part of the Longwood School Planning Area.  Primary Demographic Analysis indicates a decrease in enrolments on a year by year basis at primary level out to 2030.  My Department will continue to keep the school place requirements in Longwood, as with other areas across the country, under review.

School Admissions

Questions (272)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

272. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the adequacy of school places to meet the needs of school management, parents and children in Cadamstown, County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31940/23]

Written answers

Minister for Education

In order to plan for school place needs, my Department divides the country into 314 school planning areas and utilises a Geographical Information System to anticipate school place demand. Information from a range of sources, including Child Benefit data, school enrolment data and information on residential development activity is used for this purpose.  Additionally, Project Ireland 2040 population and housing targets inform my Department's projections of school place requirements. 

While my Department is aware of enrolment pressures and demand for additional school places in some areas, it is important to note that where enrolment pressures arise, it may not be as a result of lack of accommodation but may be driven by the following factors:

• Duplication of applications – pupils have applied for a place to a number of schools in the area

• School of choice – pupils can’t get a place in their preferred school while there are places in other schools in the town/area

• Some towns/areas have single sex schools and while places are available in the school they are not available to all pupils

• External draw – pupils coming from outside the local area

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.  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.

Cadamstown is part of the Longwood School Planning Area.  There is currently an active project at Stage 3 in Cadamstown National School with will increase capacity. 

My Department will continue to keep the school place requirements in Cadamstown, as with other areas across the country, under review.

Special Educational Needs

Questions (273)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

273. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the extent to which additional school places/provision for children with special needs/facilities arising from population increases can be updated in the case of a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31941/23]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills

I would like to thank the Deputy for the question and would like to advise the following:

Enabling children with special educational needs to receive an education appropriate to their needs is a priority for this government.  It is also a key priority for me as Minister for Special Education & Inclusion, for my Department and for the National Council for Special Education (NCSE). 

The vast majority of children with special educational needs are supported to attend mainstream classes with their peers. Where children with more complex needs require additional supports, special classes and special school places are provided.

For 2023, the spend by my Department on special education will be substantially increased by over 10% on last year, meaning that for 2023 my Department will spend over €2.6 billion on special education.

This level of educational funding and support is unprecedented and represents in excess of 27% of the Department’s total allocation for 2023.

This includes funding to support children with special educational needs in mainstream classes; funding for new special classes and new special school places; additional special educational teachers and special needs assistants. 

The NCSE has responsibility for coordinating and advising on the education provision for children with special educational needs nationwide.

Over the last two to three years, my Department and the NCSE have introduced a number of strategic initiatives to plan for and provide sufficient special class and special school places.

These initiatives are bearing fruit with over 600 new special classes sanctioned at primary level, almost 300 new special classes sanctioned at post-primary level and five new special schools established over the last three years.

My Department is engaging intensely with the NCSE in relation to the forward planning of new special classes and additional special school places.  This work involves a detailed review of statistical data in relation to forecasting demand for special class places, consideration of improved data sharing arrangements and a particular focus on the provision of special classes at post-primary level. 

As a result of this forward planning, on the 12th of April, Minister Foley and I announced the establishment of 2 new special schools for the 2023/24 school year, with further capacity being expanded in 11 other special schools.

Along with the two new special schools, 380 new special classes – 250 at primary and 130 at post-primary level – have been sanctioned by the NCSE for opening in the 2023/24 school year, with some small number of further classes to be confirmed in the coming weeks. 

Of these new classes, 11 are in Co. Kildare, with 6 at primary level and 5 at post-primary level. These new classes will bring the total number of special classes in Kildare to 115.

The NCSE actively encourages expressions of interest from schools to open special classes. In order to open a special class the NCSE would advise the school to contact their local special educational needs organiser (SENO) to make an application.  Upon assessing the requirements of the local area, the NCSE will identify the need to open a special class and sanction as appropriate.

Parents seeking special class placements for their children are advised to contact the NCSE locally so that their needs can be taken into account for planning purposes. The local SENOs remain available to assist and advise parents of children with special educational needs. Parents may contact SENOs directly using the contact details available at: www.ncse.ie/regional-services-contact-list. 

Information on the list of schools with special classes, the types and locations of these classes is published on the NCSE website and is available at www.ncse.ie  

The NCSE is committed to ensuring that sufficient special education placements will be available for children for the coming school year 2023/2024.

I want to reassure the Deputy also that my Department will continue to support the NCSE and schools through the provision of the necessary funding and capital investment to ensure all children are successful in accessing an education.

Schools Building Projects

Questions (274)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

274. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the progress towards the provision of a new primary school at Newtown, County Kildare; the current state of the project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31942/23]

Written answers

Minister for Education

My Department utilises a Geographic Information System (GIS) to support its strategic planning for capital investment.  Where the geo-spatial assessment of demand and capacity in an area indicates that additional provision is required my Department considers the options of extending the capacity of a school or schools, or of providing a new school or schools. The timing and duration of the accommodation need is also considered in determining the optimum accommodation solution – for example a short-term accommodation requirement does not require a long-term accommodation solution.

My Department has a large pipeline of projects for delivery under the school building programme. The main elements of this pipeline currently involve in excess of 1,300 school building projects for delivery under the Department’s Large Scale and Additional Accommodation Scheme. These projects are currently in progress across the various stages of planning, design, tender and construction. Most of which are expected to be either under construction or completed in the period up to 2025.

There are currently in excess of 300 school building projects at construction (on site) with a continuous stream of other projects at or near the tendering stage.

It is envisaged that the Department will deliver between 150-200 school building projects per annum between 2022-2025 period.

Details of large-scale projects being delivered under the school building programme may be viewed on my Department's website at, www.gov.ie  and this information is updated regularly. In addition, a list of large-scale projects completed from 2010 to date may also be viewed on the website.

However, I can confirm to the Deputy that my Department approved two projects for Newtown NS, Kildare. The first project for 2 x 15m² SET rooms (1 prefab replacement) and 4 x 80m² mainstream classrooms has been completed. The second approval for a 2 Class SEN Base is in the planning stages.

Schools Building Projects

Questions (275)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

275. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the progress in relation to the advancement of plans for all schools at pre-primary, primary and post-primary level in Maynooth, County Kildare, in time for the new school year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31943/23]

Written answers

Minister for Education

In order to plan for school place needs, my Department divides the country into 314 school planning areas and utilises a Geographical Information System to anticipate school place demand. Information from a range of sources, including Child Benefit data, school enrolment data and information on residential development activity is used for this purpose.  Additionally, Project Ireland 2040 population and housing targets inform my Department's projections of school place requirements. 

While my Department is aware of enrolment pressures and demand for additional school places in some areas, it is important to note that where enrolment pressures arise, it may not be as a result of lack of accommodation but may be driven by the following factors:

• Duplication of applications – pupils have applied for a place to a number of schools in the area

• School of choice – pupils can’t get a place in their preferred school while there are places in other schools in the town/area

• Some towns/areas have single sex schools and while places are available in the school they are not available to all pupils

• External draw – pupils coming from outside the local area

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.  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.

A number of building projects have been completed recently in the Maynooth School Planning Area (SPA) and there are also currently a number of active projects in the SPA which will increase local capacity for the 2023 academic year and future years at primary and post primary level. These include new school building projects recently completed for Maynooth Community College (1,000 pupil school), Maynooth Post-Primary School (1,000 pupil school) and Maynooth Educate Together N.S. (16-classroom school).  In addition, further projects are ongoing, including a new school building for Maynooth Boys' N.S (24 classroom school is currently under construction), Gaelscoil Ruairi (the provision of a new 8-classroom school is currently at Stage 2b, detailed design) and a new school building for Gaelcholaiste Maynooth is at Project Brief stage (for a new 350 pupil school).

Furthermore, there is an Additional School Accommodation project for Presentation Primary Girls' School, Maynooth at stage 2A to provide 4 additional mainstream classrooms, 3 Special Education Teaching rooms and reconfiguration works for a special class.

My Department will continue to keep the school place requirements in Maynooth, as with other areas across the country, under review.

Details of large-scale projects being delivered under the school building programme may be viewed on my Department's website at, www.gov.ie and this information is updated regularly. In addition, a list of large-scale projects completed from 2010 to date may also be viewed on the website.

School Accommodation

Questions (276)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

276. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the extent to which school place requirements and ancillary facilities in Kill, County Kildare, may require an update in services given the need to accommodate refugees there; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31944/23]

Written answers

Minister for Education

Utilisation of each school’s existing capacity in the most flexible way possible will continue to be key to supporting all children seeking international protection who are being enrolled in our schools.  

Information available to my Department indicates that there is good school capacity within a reasonable distance from Kill in County Kildare to facilitate those being accommodated in the area.

Schools continue to be supported through the REALTs to work collaboratively to use each school’s existing capacity in the most flexible way possible.  Additionally, my Department is working to identify further solutions if required to ensure that provision is in place if necessary in areas where capacity is currently limited.

Officials of both my Department and the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth continue to liaise closely, seeking to ensure as much as possible the alignment of accommodation placement of families with known school capacity.

My Department’s priority is to ensure integration and inclusion for all pupils seeking international protection in addition to ensuring full utilisation of existing school capacity.

School Accommodation

Questions (277)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

277. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the extent to which current and future school places/accommodation continues to be met at a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31945/23]

Written answers

Minister for Education

In order to plan for school place needs, my Department divides the country into 314 school planning areas and utilises a Geographical Information System to anticipate school place demand. Information from a range of sources, including Child Benefit data, school enrolment data and information on residential development activity is used for this purpose.  Additionally, Project Ireland 2040 population and housing targets inform my Department's projections of school place requirements. 

While my Department is aware of enrolment pressures and demand for additional school places in some areas, it is important to note that where enrolment pressures arise, it may not be as a result of lack of accommodation but may be driven by the following factors:

• Duplication of applications – pupils have applied for a place to a number of schools in the area

• School of choice – pupils can’t get a place in their preferred school while there are places in other schools in the town/area

• Some towns/areas have single sex schools and while places are available in the school they are not available to all pupils

• External draw – pupils coming from outside the local area

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.  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.

There is currently an active project ongoing at Staplestown Primary School which will increase capacity to cater for additional demand.

My Department will continue to keep the school place requirements in Staplestown, as with other areas across the country, under review.

Schools Building Projects

Questions (278)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

278. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the number of school building projects in County Kildare at planning stage that are currently incorporating the provision of additional buildings for after-school services within their plans, given the need for a seamless service in this area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31946/23]

Written answers

Minister for Education

Currently, there are 17 school building projects under the Large Scale Programme and 30 school building projects under the Additional Accommodation Scheme are at various stages of planning and design in Co Kildare.  Full details on these projects are available on my Department's website on www.gov.ie.  

Arrangements in relation to after-school services are dealt with locally at individual school level rather than centrally by my Department.  My Department has guidelines  in place for use of school buildings for after school provision.  These are available at assets.gov.ie/24484/ca5b1787db1b47f98de31f57e977dad0.pdf

School Accommodation

Questions (279)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

279. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the extent to which current and future school places/accommodation continues to be met at Timahoe, County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31947/23]

Written answers

Minister for Education

In order to plan for school place needs, my Department divides the country into 314 school planning areas and utilises a Geographical Information System to anticipate school place demand. Information from a range of sources, including Child Benefit data, school enrolment data and information on residential development activity is used for this purpose.  Additionally, Project Ireland 2040 population and housing targets inform my Department's projections of school place requirements. 

While my Department is aware of enrolment pressures and demand for additional school places in some areas, it is important to note that where enrolment pressures arise, it may not be as a result of lack of accommodation but may be driven by the following factors:

• Duplication of applications – pupils have applied for a place to a number of schools in the area

• School of choice – pupils can’t get a place in their preferred school while there are places in other schools in the town/area

• Some towns/areas have single sex schools and while places are available in the school they are not available to all pupils

• External draw – pupils coming from outside the local area

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.  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.

Timahoe is part of the Prosperous/Clane School Planning Area.  There are currently a number of active projects in the Prosperous/Clane SPA which will increase local capacity, including a new school building projects at St Patricks BNS and St Farnan’s Post Primary School and other extension projects at Hewstons National School, Scoil Naomh Mhuire National School and Scoil Mhuire Community School.

My Department will continue to keep the school place requirements in Timahoe, as with other areas across the country, under review.

School Accommodation

Questions (280)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

280. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the extent to which current and future school places/accommodation continues to be met at Rathcoffey, County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31948/23]

Written answers

Minister for Education

In order to plan for school place needs, my Department divides the country into 314 school planning areas and utilises a Geographical Information System to anticipate school place demand. Information from a range of sources, including Child Benefit data, school enrolment data and information on residential development activity is used for this purpose.  Additionally, Project Ireland 2040 population and housing targets inform my Department's projections of school place requirements. 

While my Department is aware of enrolment pressures and demand for additional school places in some areas, it is important to note that where enrolment pressures arise, it may not be as a result of lack of accommodation but may be driven by the following factors:

• Duplication of applications – pupils have applied for a place to a number of schools in the area

• School of choice – pupils can’t get a place in their preferred school while there are places in other schools in the town/area

• Some towns/areas have single sex schools and while places are available in the school they are not available to all pupils

• External draw – pupils coming from outside the local area

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.  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.

Rathcoffey is part of the Prosperous/Clane School Planning Area.  There are currently a number of active projects in the Prosperous/Clane SPA which will increase local capacity, including a new school building projects at St Patricks BNS and St Farnan’s Post Primary School and other extension projects at Hewstons National School, Scoil Naomh Mhuire National School and Scoil Mhuire Community School.

My Department will continue to keep the school place requirements in Rathcoffey, as with other areas across the country, under review.

School Admissions

Questions (281)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

281. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the extent to which adequate primary school places remain available to children attending primary school in Sallins, County Kildare, in line with the expanding population of the area and the wishes of school management; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31949/23]

Written answers

Minister for Education

In order to plan for school place needs, my Department divides the country into 314 school planning areas and utilises a Geographical Information System to anticipate school place demand. Information from a range of sources, including Child Benefit data, school enrolment data and information on residential development activity is used for this purpose.  Additionally, Project Ireland 2040 population and housing targets inform my Department's projections of school place requirements. 

While my Department is aware of enrolment pressures and demand for additional school places in some areas, it is important to note that where enrolment pressures arise, it may not be as a result of lack of accommodation but may be driven by the following factors:

• Duplication of applications – pupils have applied for a place to a number of schools in the area

• School of choice – pupils can’t get a place in their preferred school while there are places in other schools in the town/area

• Some towns/areas have single sex schools and while places are available in the school they are not available to all pupils

• External draw – pupils coming from outside the local area

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.  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.

Sallins is part of the Naas School Planning Area.  There are currently a number of active projects at primary level in the Naas SPA which will increase local capacity, including new school building projects at Mercy Convent Primary School and St Corban’s BNS, and an extension project at Scoil an Linbh Íosa.

My Department will continue to keep the school place requirements in Sallins, as with other areas across the country, under review. 

School Admissions

Questions (282)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

282. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education if and when the child of a person (details supplied) might obtain a school place for September next; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31970/23]

Written answers

Minister for Education

While my Department is aware of enrolment pressures and demand for additional school places in some areas, it is important to note that where enrolment pressures arise, it may not be as a result of lack of accommodation but may be driven by the following factors:

• Duplication of applications – pupils have applied for a place to a number of schools in the area

• School of choice – pupils can’t get a place in their preferred school while there are places in other schools in the town/area

• Some towns/areas have single sex schools and while places are available in the school they are not available to all pupils

• External draw – pupils coming from outside the local area

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.  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 Department is working to establish the true extent of any capacity issues across school planning areas through ongoing discussions with the relevant school patrons and authorities. 

This close engagement will allow the Department to identify particular capacity requirements for the forthcoming years which may necessitate further action to that already in train including, where required, the provision of modular accommodation solutions.

The Educational Welfare Services (EWS) of the Child and Family Agency (Tusla) is the statutory agency that can assist parents who are experiencing difficulty in securing a school place for their child. The local service is delivered through the national network of Educational Welfare Officers (EWO). Contact details are available at www.tusla.ie/get-in-touch/education-and-welfare/