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Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Equal Status (Admission to Schools) Bill 2016: Discussion (7 Feb 2017)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the witness for that thought-provoking submission. I now call Mr. Caoimhín Ó hEaghra. I apologise for previously mispronouncing his surname.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Equal Status (Admission to Schools) Bill 2016: Discussion (7 Feb 2017)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank Mr. Ó hEaghra. A translation has been submitted and will be available on the committee's website for those who wish to read his contribution in English.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Equal Status (Admission to Schools) Bill 2016: Discussion (7 Feb 2017)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank Dr. Fennelly. In the second round we will be delighted to receive Ms Rainsberry's extra clarification. I understand the representatives of the Muslim Primary Education Board do not wish to make a submission.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Equal Status (Admission to Schools) Bill 2016: Discussion (7 Feb 2017)

Fiona O'Loughlin: My apologies; I was informed that there would be no statement. We will be delighted to hear it. Perhaps a copy might be furnished to all members in order that we will have it for our records and also that we will have it on the website.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Equal Status (Admission to Schools) Bill 2016: Discussion (7 Feb 2017)

Fiona O'Loughlin: On a point of clarification, an invitation was issued to Mr. Shaheen Ahmed who was to come. He only recently indicated that Ms Al-Tawash would be coming instead.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Equal Status (Admission to Schools) Bill 2016: Discussion (7 Feb 2017)

Fiona O'Loughlin: Despite the communication issues which arose, I assure Ms Al-Tawash that her voice and the voice of the children and students she represents are very important in this debate. We were very clear when we set about organising who we would invite as witnesses that the voice of the Muslim community certainly would be included.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Equal Status (Admission to Schools) Bill 2016: Discussion (7 Feb 2017)

Fiona O'Loughlin: That is absolutely fine. I invite Mr. Curtis of the Joint Management Body, JMB, to address the committee.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Equal Status (Admission to Schools) Bill 2016: Discussion (7 Feb 2017)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank all of the witnesses for their statements. We will have an opportunity for clarification. Many of the witnesses addressed the need for more resources as this issue arises in 20% of schools. It is true to say the point was well made that not a single extra school place will be created by virtue of the Bill or any amendment to it, and this must be borne in mind. We also have the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Equal Status (Admission to Schools) Bill 2016: Discussion (7 Feb 2017)

Fiona O'Loughlin: That is fine. I think Ms Rainsberry will comment on it-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Equal Status (Admission to Schools) Bill 2016: Discussion (7 Feb 2017)

Fiona O'Loughlin: That is absolutely key. I call Deputy Catherine Martin.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Equal Status (Admission to Schools) Bill 2016: Discussion (7 Feb 2017)

Fiona O'Loughlin: We are delighted that Senator Alice-Mary Higgins has joined us.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Equal Status (Admission to Schools) Bill 2016: Discussion (7 Feb 2017)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I thank the Deputies and Senators. I thank Deputy Burton for the Labour Party's Bill, which sets the scene and gives us some of the background to the Bill. I propose to go back to those who have already given witness to it. I start with Ms Rainsberry and ask her to address the issue of catchment. There have been some very good observations, questions and comments. I ask her to answer the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Equal Status (Admission to Schools) Bill 2016: Discussion (7 Feb 2017)

Fiona O'Loughlin: Ms Rainsberry said that Kilkenny College is oversubscribed by 100% and that it can only admit one in two. What is the school's policy in choosing who is admitted in first year? I know Deputy Burton also has a question.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Equal Status (Admission to Schools) Bill 2016: Discussion (7 Feb 2017)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I hand back to Ms Rainsberry, who will be followed by Fr. Connell.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Equal Status (Admission to Schools) Bill 2016: Discussion (7 Feb 2017)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I am happy to take any speakers offering now.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Equal Status (Admission to Schools) Bill 2016: Discussion (7 Feb 2017)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I totally agree with Mr. Curtis. In my town, Newbridge, there is a common enrolment policy where the seven schools get together and agree that each school will take a certain number of, say, non-national children and children with special needs. Only one of the schools has an ASD unit so it will have a higher number but I agree that what the witnesses can do, together with co-operation...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Equal Status (Admission to Schools) Bill 2016: Discussion (7 Feb 2017)

Fiona O'Loughlin: I must apologise that there are no translation facilities available. We asked about that at the last meeting and it appears only one of the committee rooms has translation facilities, but that is not good enough.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Equal Status (Admission to Schools) Bill 2016: Discussion (7 Feb 2017)

Fiona O'Loughlin: Yes.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Equal Status (Admission to Schools) Bill 2016: Discussion (7 Feb 2017)

Fiona O'Loughlin: It is diminished.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Equal Status (Admission to Schools) Bill 2016: Discussion (7 Feb 2017)

Fiona O'Loughlin: Point well made, go raibh maith agat. I now call Ms Nic Gearailt.