Fergus O'Dowd
Ceist:125 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide her reply to correspondence (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3290/11]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 25 January 2011
Ceisteanna (18, 19, 20)
Freagraí scríofa
A reply to the correspondence referred to by the Deputy issued on 8th December 2010. A copy of this reply has been forwarded to the Deputy.
Fergus O'Dowd
Ceist:126 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if she will reply to correspondence (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3293/11]
Amharc ar fhreagra
Jim O'Keeffe
Ceist:158 Deputy Jim O’Keeffe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if her attention has been drawn to the fact that a child (details supplied) in County Cork has been unable to secure a place in a national school since September 2010; the reason for same; the steps she will take to ensure that this child receives an education; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3706/11]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 126 and 158 together.
I wish to advise the Deputies that my Department is aware of the case and is in correspondence with the parents of the child in question.
I understand that the parents of this child are seeking an alternative placement for him. The selection and enrolment of pupils in schools is the responsibility of the authorities of the individual school. My Department's main responsibility is to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all pupils seeking school places in an area. However, this may result in some pupils not obtaining a place in the school of their first choice.
Under section 15(2)(d) of the Education Act 1998, each school is legally obliged to disclose its enrolment policy and to ensure that as regards that policy that principles of equality and the right of parents to send their children to a school of the parents choice are respected. My Department has no authority to compel a school to admit a pupil, except in the case of an appeal under Section 29 of the Education Act, 1998 being upheld.
Section 29 of the Education Act 1998 provides for an appeal by a parent or guardian to the Secretary General of my Department, or in the case of a Vocational Educational Committee (VEC) school to the VEC in the first instance, where a Board of Management of a school, or a person acting on behalf of the Board, refuses to enrol a student in a school. I understand that the parents of this child have taken an appeal under Section 29 and the appeal committee's determination has been sent to them by the Secretary General of my Department.
The National Educational Welfare Board (NEWB) is the statutory agency which can assist parents who are experiencing difficulty in securing a school place for their child. I understand that the Education Welfare Officer (EWO) has been liaising with the parents of this child on the options available to him. The EWO is also liaising with the Department on the matter.