Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 March 2018
261. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Education and Skills if there are guidelines or legislation in place in relation to ensuring school places in schools for children of Irish citizens who are serving the State overseas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13789/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn 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.
Through the Education (Admission to Schools) Bill I intend to ban the use of waiting lists by schools, as these discriminate against those who have recently moved into an area, those who rent, or those who have worked overseas and are returning home.
The current provision in the Bill will allow for the phasing out of pre-existing waiting lists over a 5 year period.
The Bill is currently awaiting report stage in the Dáil.
