Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
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Question 67: To ask the Minister for Education and Science when he will introduce regulations governing admission to schools under the Education Act 1998; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14362/04]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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My Department held discussions with the education partners in late 2000 in the context of the requirement in section 15(2)(d) of the Education Act 1998 to publish school policy in relation to admissions, suspensions and expulsions, and the provision under section 29 for appeal to the Department against school decisions on these as they affected individual pupils.

A number of options were put forward. Some expressed the view that the Department of Education and Science should issue guidelines to schools in view of their new obligations under the Education Act the Education (Welfare) Act 2000 and the Equal Status Act 2000. Some were concerned about the right to autonomy of the schools. Others wanted binding regulations prepared.

Arising out of these discussions it was decided that regulations be prepared. Drafts heads of regulations were submitted to the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel.

A number of meetings have taken place between my Department officials and officials from the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel. The OPC is currently preparing draft regulations. It is expected that draft regulations will be available to me and my Department in the near future.