Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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Deputy Shortall is misinterpreting what is happening in amendment No. 110. It amends a section where, in making a designation under subsection (3), the agency will have regard to a certain number of aspects, including the wishes of the child's parents, where appropriate, in accordance with the age and maturity of the child concerned; the wishes of the child; and the availability of places in the locality and the school that in the agency's view would be in the best interests of the child. We will add to that the admissions policy. The purpose of this is not the purpose the Deputy considers, which is to bring in religion as a basis for refusal. The purpose is to look at issues such as special schools.

The admissions policy for special schools will set out the schools for which it is appropriate, so that in looking at the placement of a child with special needs, they will look at the admissions policies around special needs categories and gender and issues such as that. This is something they will take into account. It is not binding on the agency obviously, as it considers these issues. This is in no way providing that the agency will say that religion is the overwhelming issue and it will not consider a school for that reason. It is just one factor in a list that will be considered, and the intended purpose is not to introduce some baptism barrier, as the Deputy suggested. As we discussed earlier, the Equal Status Act is an issue to which we intend to return and that is not being dealt with in this Bill. The intention of amendment No. 110 is not that ascribed to it by the Deputy.