Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 5 Dec 1996

Vol. 472 No. 5

Written Answers. - School Placement.

Tony Gregory

Ceist:

73 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Education whether her attention has been drawn to the situation regarding a person (details supplied) in Dublin 22 who has been refused readmission to a school since June 1996 and in respect of whom no additional school place has been provided and who has missed more than half of the first term at school in his junior certificate year at a time when he is obliged by law to be in school; the steps, if any, taken by her Department to secure a school place for the person concerned; when her Department was made aware of the situation of this person; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23612/96]

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

I am aware of the case referred to by the Deputy.

The pupil in question was excluded from school before the end of the last school year and in September representations were made to me to seek an educational placement in the case.

Matters in relation to the selection and enrolment of pupils are matters for individual school authorities. In cases such as this, my Department endeavours to establish the special needs, if any, of the pupil concerned and by a process of consultation with school management to have the pupil concerned placed in the school in his locality.

Representations in this case were referred to authorities of the pupil's former school and its response is now being considered. On 13 November, my Department wrote to the parent regarding the pupil's educational needs and when a reply is received further action in the case can be considered.