Written answers

Tuesday, 28 March 2006

Department of Education and Science

School Enrolments

11:00 pm

Paul McGrath (Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 489: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to the policy of some voluntary secondary schools to divert enrolment from members of the Traveller community away from them to schools within the vocational education committee; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12191/06]

Photo of Mary HanafinMary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The Education Act 1998 requires all schools to have in place an admissions policy, detailing admission to and participation in the school, and to ensure that as regards that policy, the principles of equality and the right of parents to send their children to a school of the parents' choice are respected.

In formulating its admissions policy, a school must ensure it is lawful. In particular, it must act in accordance with section 7 of the Equal Status Act 2000 which, subject to very limited exceptions, prohibits schools from discriminating against people in respect of a number of matters, including the admission or the terms or conditions of admission of a person as a student to the school.

My Department has issued an information booklet to schools entitled Schools and the Equal Status Acts. The booklet identifies ways in which the rights conferred and the duties imposed by this legislation, together with the education legislation, can be used as building blocks for the creation of an inclusive school.

Currently, under section 29 of the Education Act 1998, parents of a student who has been refused enrolment in a school may appeal that decision to the Secretary General of my Department. Such appeals are dealt with within 30 days of their receipt and where an appeal is upheld, the Secretary General is empowered to direct the school to enrol the student.

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