Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 25:

In page 6, line 28, to delete “Subject to this section, regulations under section 64,” and substitute “Subject to this Act, regulations under this Act”.

This amendment extends the provision to which a school admissions policy is subject. The Bill currently provides that a school admissions policy is subject to section 62 of the Bill and any regulations made under section 64 of the Bill. Amendment No. 25 broadens this to provisions of the Education Act and any regulations made under the same. The Bill does not currently specify how often a drafted admissions policy should be prepared. It could be interpreted that this be required every year. However, that is not the intention. Amendment No. 26 clarifies that the draft admissions policy should be prepared by the board not later than three months after the commencement of the relevant subsection or where a board proposes making any amendments to its admissions policy. This means that when a board proposes to make any amendments to its admissions policy it must carry out the consultation process as specified in section 62 (1) of the Bill.