Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 May 2020
324. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills the steps being taken to ensure that a child (details supplied) in County Cork has an appropriate second-level school place for the 2020/2021 school year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5503/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe selection and enrolment of pupils is the responsibility of the management authorities in each individual school. As schools may not have a place for every applicant, 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.
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 parent’s choice are respected.
Under Section 29 of the Education Act, 1998 where a school board of management make a decision to refuse enrolment, suspend a student for 20 or more days or permanently exclude a student, a parent/guardian can appeal that decision to the Secretary General of my Department. Where the appeal involves an Education and Training Board (ETB) school, the appeal must be made to the local ETB in the first instance. Further information on the Section 29 Appeals process is available on my Departments website at the following link:
https://www.education.ie/en/Parents/Services/Appeal-against-Permanent-Exclusion-Suspension-or-Refusal-to-Enrol/
In addition, the Tusla Education Support Service (TESS) can assist parents who are experiencing difficulty in securing a school placement for their child. TESS can be contacted at Tusla Education Support Service, Child and Family Agency, Heritage Business Park, Bessboro Roard Blackrock, Cork or by phone at 021-2428611.
