Darren O'Rourke
Question:197. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education the steps that can be taken to facilitate a move for a child (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54302/23]
View answerThursday, 7 December 2023
Questions (197)
Written answers
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 have admissions policies, which have been approved by the patron, following consultation with staff and parents of children who are attending the school. The 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.
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 will 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.
Where an Educational Welfare Officer (EWO) is satisfied that there is no available school place in the locality, an application can be made for a home tuition grant to my Department. This will provide funding for a parent, to engage a qualified teacher, to work with the child for up to 9 hours per week on a one-to-one basis, while the parents continue to actively seek a school place, supported by the EWO.
In regard to the child referred to by the Deputy, a referral was received by the local EWO on the 28th November 2023. The EWO will contact this parent to offer the appropriate assistance and advice to assist in securing a school place in the area for the child.