Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018, is important legislation which has introduced a more parent-friendly, equitable and consistent approach to how school admissions policy operates for the almost 4,000 primary and post-primary schools. The legislation is part of a suite of measures taken to take greater account of the needs of parents and students in the school system.

All school admissions policies must be approved by the patron following consultation with staff and parents of children who are attending the school. The school’s admissions policy is published on the schools website. It is a key requirement of the act that all school admission policies are fair and transparent. Parents have the right to choose which school to apply to and where the school has places available the pupil should be admitted. However, in schools where there are more applicants than places available, a selection process will be necessary. This selection process and the enrolment policy on which it is based must be non-discriminatory and must be applied fairly in respect of all applicants. However, this may result in some pupils not obtaining a place in the school of their first choice.

The Act requires schools to clearly set out their selection criteria in their admission policies. Schools have discretion regarding their admission criteria and how they are applied. The criteria to be applied by schools and the order of priority are a matter for the schools themselves. Section 64 of the Act prohibits the charging of fees or seeking payment or contributions for an application for admission to, or for continued enrolment, in a school. Exceptions are included in relation to fee charging post-primary schools, the boarding element in boarding schools and admission to post leaving certificate or further education courses run by post-primary schools.

I am aware that my Department has received correspondence from the Deputy recently relating to a particular school that was requesting a fee to be paid upon acceptance of a place of the school. My Department contacted the school on Monday, 20 November. The school recognises that it made an error in requesting a fee from parents upon acceptance of a place in the school. The school has stated that it does not charge an admission fee, and that this fee was never intended to be a fee for enrolment. The school has never refused admission to any student based on the fact that they can or cannot afford to pay.

Further to this it stated that at no time has an offer of a place been withdrawn based on non-payment of a fee. The principal of the school concerned has confirmed that he will contact all parents that have paid this fee to arrange a refund. This process will commence this week.

I would like to thank the Deputy for bringing this to our attention. I am satisfied that this practice has now ceased in the school he referenced.

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