Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 July 2018
597. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Education and Skills when the Education (Admission to Schools) Bill 2016 will be commenced; if the provisions of the Bill, particularly those relating to the partial removal of the baptism barrier, will be applicable for the 2019-2020 school year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34913/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018, which was signed by the President on the 18th July 2018, is an important piece of legislation which strives to introduce a more parent-friendly, equitable and consistent approach to how school admissions policy operates for the almost 4,000 primary and post-primary schools in this country and a fair and balanced school admission process for all pupils.
The provisions of the Act aim to make it easier for parents to more easily access local schools and to enrol their children in a school that meets their needs. The Act will require schools to be fair and transparent in deciding how to prioritise children for admission to the school.
The main provisions of the Act include measures to:
- Ensure that where a school is not oversubscribed (which relates to 80% of schools) it must admit all students applying;
- Ban waiting lists, thus ensuring that parents who move into a new area are not disadvantaged;
- Ban fees relating to admissions in non-fee paying schools;
- Require all schools to publish their admissions policies, which will include details of the provisions for pupils who decline to participate in religious instruction;
- Provide for a situation where a child (with special needs or otherwise) cannot find a school place, and allow the National Council for Special Education or Tusla (Child and Family Agency) to designate a school place for the child.
- Provide a power for the Minister to compel a school to open a special class or classes where the National Council for Special Education has identified a need for such provision within an area.
The Act also contains a provision which will amend the Equal Status Act 2000, to prohibit the use of religion as a selection criterion in primary school admissions with certain protections provided to ensure that a child of a minority religion can access a school providing a religious instruction or religious education programme consistent with his or her religious beliefs.
I believe that it is unfair that parents, who might otherwise not do so, feel pressure to baptise their children in order to gain admission to the local school. I have already stated my intention to commence the provisions relating to the removal of the "baptism barrier" and the power to open a special class as early as possible after commencement of the Act.
