Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 29 February 2024
200. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education to detail the process by which students, currently without places for September 2024 in Greystones, will be offered a place in one of the three additional classes being established if they had not applied for that school in the first instance and they are therefore not eligible for a place under the enrolment policy of that school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9859/24]
View answerI can assure the Deputy that the provision of school places to meet the needs of children and young people at primary and post primary level, including children and young people with special educational needs is an absolute priority for the Department.
As part of planning for September 2024, data on applications for admission has been received by the Department from post-primary schools across areas of enrolment pressure, including in Greystones, and updated data on offers and acceptances continues to be received as admissions processes transact.
The sharing of this data has been very effective in the identification of school place requirements across the areas. In the majority of areas through the work of schools, patrons, management bodies and the Department, there are sufficient school places available to meet the needs of children in the area. However, there is an identified requirement for additional first year places in the Greystones area and the Department has been liaising with schools and patrons in this respect.
Intensive engagement is ongoing in this respect, with a view to confirming the additional provision as soon as possible, and giving the required certainty to families in the area. While some applicants may not yet have received an offer of a school place for 2024/25, families can be assured that all children who require a school place will be provided with one.
There will be greater clarity for families over the coming weeks as admissions processes continue to work through and required additional places come on stream.
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.
Schools are required, under the Education Act, to offer places in line with their Admissions Policy, and work through their waiting lists accordingly. Where a student accepts one of the newly-created places, but already has a place in a different school, that original place will become available. My Department will continue to monitor the situation to ensure that there are sufficient places available to meet the overall requirements.
I can assure the Deputy that Department officials will continue to actively engage with schools and patrons to ensure that there is appropriate provision for all students in Greystones for the 2024/25 school year and into the future. Families can be assured that any necessary solution will be delivered so that all of the children in the Greystones School Planning Area will receive a first year place.
