Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 July 2020
566. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a school place will be provided for a person (details supplied); the contact details for the school liaison officers who may assist with the issues; her plans to assist all those on the waiting lists for school places; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15031/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra568. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of children on the waiting lists for schools (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; if her Department or local officials are engaged with the families and the schools to resolve the waiting lists; if a place at one of the schools will be provided for a child; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15033/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra602. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a school place will be provided for a child (details supplied); and if there are sufficient places in schools in Kilkenny city to meet the demand. [15303/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 566, 568 and 602 together.
I understand that the pupil referred to by the Deputy who applied for a school place at Coláiste Pobail Osrai was offered a place and that the offer was declined.
I wish to advise the Deputy that in relation to schools admission, 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. These details are held at individual school level. The Deputy will note however that the selection process procedures and enrolment policy are the responsibility of the individual school authorities.
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 board of management make a decision to refuse enrolment, 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 Department's website at www.education.ie/en/Parents/Services/Appeal-against-Permanent-Exclusion-Suspension-or-Refusal-to-Enrol/.
In addition, the Educational Welfare Service (EWS) of the Child and Family Agency (Tusla) is the legal body which can assist parents who are experiencing difficulty in securing a school placement for their child. The EWS can be contacted at 01-7718815.
I also wish to advise the Deputy that Kilkenny Carlow Education Training Board has confirmed that places for first year applicants are available in Coláiste Pobail Osrai and Kilkenny City Vocational School (KCVS). It is open to the parents /guardians of the children concerned to make direct contact with the schools should they wish to submit an enrolment application to these schools. The schools may be contacted through the following email addresses: Cathy.Mcsorley@KCVS.ie and for Coláiste Pobail Osrai, priomhoide@osrai.ie.
