Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 21 March 2024
205. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the extent to which it is possible for a child (details supplied) to obtain a school place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13421/24]
View answerMy 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 criteria to be applied by schools and the order of priority are a matter for the schools themselves. It is an important feature of the act that schools can only make a decision on an application for admission that is based on the school’s admission policy.
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 Celbridge, 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. My Department will continue to monitor the situation to ensure that there are sufficient places available to meet the overall requirements.
