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

This is imposing a restriction where there was none before. It is actually reducing the extent to which schools can engage in the practice. They did not face a restriction before. The empirical evidence is that the higher ceilings have applied in schools in which it is the custom and practice. This measure is restricting some schools in giving priority to the children of past pupils. It is trying to introduce a ceiling.

On the question of why any child should be allowed, the argument is based on the fact that many schools have a tradition whereby past pupils want to send their children to them. They may have played for the same GAA club or have associations with the parish which they may want to keep for one reason or another. Schools have facilitated family continuity in terms of being part of the school community. They often draw members of boards of management and so on from these very involved families. The provision is trying to strike a balance. School communities are complex networks and many schools draw their support from past pupils. It is very understandable they would try to maintain a connection with past pupils. This is a way by which that connection has been maintained. It is reasonable to argue that there should be a limit set on the extent to which what I describe would become a practice. That is why I believe this is a reasonable solution. Bearing in mind Deputy Thomas Byrne's concern that schools that never followed the practice might introduce it, I will consider the issue and revert to him on Report Stage. Some continuity is reasonable and in accordance with existing practice in many schools. The proposal involves a reasonable restriction on the practice. As I stated, I will consider before Report Stage whether additional changes should be made to this provision.