Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 7 December 2023
208. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education whether parental alienation, a highly contested condition, being used as a means to support one or other side in family law cases, is also being referred to where choice of second level school has not been agreed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54410/23]
View answerIn 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.
It is appreciated that practical difficulties can arise where family circumstances vary and differ, however, the Department's approach to the issue of the rights of separated parents to involvement in their children's education is that the rights of both parents should be respected. A qualification to that approach would arise where the best interest of the child required a different approach.
Schools must exercise their own judgment in implementing their enrolment policies and what is appropriate in each individual case, while respecting any order made by the Court in relation to the custody and welfare of the child which is known to or made known to the school.
