Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 17 November 2022
196. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 252 of 10 November 2022, if she will confirm that Castlelyon Green, Newcastle is in the catchment area for schools (details supplied); and if so, if she will arrange for the catchment area maps to be updated and recirculated to all the local schools. [57050/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAccording to the Department's Geographical Information System, the schools referred to by the Deputy, as well as Castlelyon Green, are in the Newcastle_Rathcoole School Planning Area.
The Education Act requires that the Minister for Education, as a function, to plan and co-ordinate the provision of education in recognised schools and to do all such acts and things as may be necessary to further the objects of the Act. The Act also bestows on the Minister all such powers as are necessary or expedient for the purpose of performing functions. It also stipulates that in carrying out her functions, the Minister must have regard to the resources available and the practices and traditions relating to the organisation of existing schools and their right to manage their own affairs in accordance with the Act and any charters, deeds, articles of management or other such instruments relating to their establishment or operation.
The question of enrolment in individual schools, including the setting of catchment areas, is the responsibility of the Board of Management on behalf of the school Patron and my Department does not seek to intervene in decisions made by schools in such matters.
School planning areas provide a useful means of projecting demographic demand in a localised area or areas, thereby allowing my Department to determine oncoming growth at a relatively localised level to inform recommendations and decisions on where additional school places may be needed.
However, there can be a high degree of inward and outward mobility of children between school planning areas, particularly in urban areas, and parents are free to apply to enrol their children in any school, whether that is in the school planning area in which they reside or not.
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.
