Brendan Ryan (Dublin Fingal, Labour) | Oireachtas source

The amendment aims to deal with the issue of priority being given to children of staff in enrolment policies. Most schools do not give such priority but some do. The effect of giving such priority, particularly in periods of high demand when it outstrips capacity, is that it can be and is given to children from outside the local area and can be at the expense of local children. I had direct experience of this in the past in my constituency. I wish to be clear that the amendment does not suggest there be a prohibition on children of staff members enrolling in a school in which their parents are teaching. I was a member of the Joint Committee on Education and Skills in the previous Dáil when former Deputy Joanna Tuffy was Chairman. We prepared a report ahead of the intention of the then Minister, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan, to introduce what the Minister is dealing with today. A recommendation was included in the report that the Minister consider it. It was Deputy Jan O'Sullivan's proposed Bill at that stage. I ask the Minister to consider accepting the amendment.