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

Yes. As the Deputy explained, the amendment would prohibit schools from prioritising the children of staff or board members. I believe it is a reasonable position that an oversubscribed school may give priority to children of staff members, where it so wishes. For example, from the perspective of facilitating those families, it is sensible that a teacher who works in a school distant from his or her home can have his or her children attend the school rather than having to make arrangements for them to attend elsewhere. I have not come across this as a widely prevalent practice. If it has been used, it does not appear to be having a big impact on admissions policy, but, obviously, the Deputy has evidence to the contrary.

If the Deputy has evidence to the contrary and he gives me the details of that I will consider the issue and come back on Report Stage to see if it would be appropriate to deal with it. The Deputy is trying to balance the reasonable expectation of teachers or other staff members who are contributing to that school community that they might get some priority over the concern of those living locally. I will consider it. The Deputy might give me the details of the experience he had and I will consider whether that is prevalent or something that should be provided for in these circumstances.