Bernard Durkan
Ceist:951. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education if a local school place can be accommodated for a student (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43639/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 8 September 2022
Ceisteanna (951)
Freagraí scríofa
My Department's main responsibility is to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all pupils seeking school places in the area. In relation to school admissions, it is the responsibility of the managerial authorities of all schools to implement an enrolment policy in accordance with the Education Act, 1998.
Parents have the right to 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.
Where a board of management make a decision to refuse admission, a parent/guardian can appeal that decision under section 29 of the Education Act, 1998, and an independent appeals committee will be appointed to consider the appeal
A section 29 appeal must be made no later than 63 calendar days from the date of the school’s decision to refuse admission. It is important to note that if you have been refused admission due to the school being oversubscribed, and you wish to appeal this decision you must firstly make a written request to the school seeking a review of the board of management’s decision. This request for a review to the board of management is time bound and must be made within 21 calendar days from the date of the decision by the school to refuse admission to your child.
There has been significant capital investment by my Department providing additional capacity at primary schools in the Kilcock School Planning area.
The Kilcock School Planning Area is served by 9 primary schools and the following projects are ongoing or recently completed:
- A major capital project for St. Joseph’s NS Kilcock (RN 16706G) was recently completed in 2021 - New 16-classroom school building plus SEN
A number of other projects are ongoing under our Additional School Accommodation Programme including
RN 17821L St Marys, Enfield – currently at Stage 4 - to provide 3 SEN (Special Education Needs) class base
RN 18051Q COOLE NS, Kilcock – Stage 4 – 1 x 80m2 Mainstream Classroom (MCR) additionality
RN 18650P Newbawn NS, Enfield – Stage 4 – 4 x 80m2 prefab replacement, 1 x 15m2 Set prefab replacement & 1 x 15m2 SET additional.
RN 18650P Newbawn NS, Enfield – Stage 1 – 2 SEN class base
RN 18666H Tiermohan NS – Stage 4 – 3 x 80m2 MCR prefab replacement
RN 18887A St Joseph’s NS Kilcock – Complete – 1 x 80m2 MCR
RN 19897I Scoil Úi Riada, Kilcock – Stage 2a – 4 x 80m2 MCR additional, 1 x 15m2 SET additional, 3 x 80m2 prefab replacement & 2 x 15m2 SET replacement.
In addition, Tusla Education Support Services (TESS) the Educational Welfare Service is the legal body which can assist parents who are experiencing difficulty in securing a school placement for their child. Contact details for TESS are available at the following link www.tusla.ie/tess/get-in-touch/ or by email at tessinfo@tusla.ie