Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 March 2024
273. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Education to provide an update on the allocation of a secondary school place for a student (details supplied) who is currently without a school place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10073/24]
View answerIn relation to school admissions, it is the responsibility of the managerial authorities of all schools to implement an admissions policy in accordance with the Education Act, 1998 and the Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018. Under the provisions of the Act, school admission policies are 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 school’s website. 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.
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.
All schools must clearly set out their selection criteria in their admission policies. Schools have discretion in relation to their admission criteria and how they are applied. The criteria to be applied by schools and the order of priority are a matter for the schools themselves. My Department does not seek to intervene in the selection criterion that is applied by schools.
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.
My Department is aware that a number of students did not initially receive an offer of a first year place in post primary school in Greystones for the 2024/25 school year and identified a requirement for further increased provision at schools to meet this need.
Following consultation, Greystones Community College have recently agreed to increase their first year intake by 2 classes. This will increase available capacity by over 50 first year places. There will be further clarity very shortly regarding further additional provision in the area.
