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School Admissions

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 March 2018

Tuesday, 20 March 2018

Ceisteanna (240, 241)

Kathleen Funchion

Ceist:

240. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education and Skills whether a school is allowed to withdraw an offer of a school place to a child (details supplied) on learning that the child has a disability. [12369/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Kathleen Funchion

Ceist:

241. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education and Skills the measures his Department will take to ensure a child has secured a place at a school (details supplied). [12370/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 240 and 241 together.

In relation to school admissions, parents can 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.

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 an Educational Training Board (ETB) school to the ETB 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, expels a student or suspends a student for 20 or more days in any school year. Further information on the Section 29 appeals process is available on the Department's website, www.education.ie.

The Education Welfare Service of the Child and Family Agency (Tusla) is the statutory agency which can assist parents who are experiencing difficulty in securing a school place for their child. The EWS can be contacted at 01-7718500.

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