Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 353: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of primary schools in County Roscommon with a waiting list for admissions; the number on the waiting list in each school; the number of places presently available from September 2008 in the respective school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16198/08]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 354: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of primary schools in County Leitrim with a waiting list for admissions; the number on the waiting list in each school; the number of places presently available from September 2008 in the respective school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16200/08]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 353 and 354 together.

The compulsory school starting age in a National School is 6 years of age. Enrolment in individual schools is the responsibility of the managerial authority of those schools and my Department does not seek to intervene in decisions made by schools, including decisions on criteria for enrolment and details of waiting lists for entry to primary schools. My Department's main responsibility is to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all pupils seeking places. This may result, however, in some pupils not obtaining a place in the school of their first choice.

It is the responsibility of the managerial authorities of schools that are not in a position to admit all pupils seeking entry to implement an enrolment policy in accordance with the Education Act. In this regard a board of management may find it necessary to restrict enrolment to children from a particular area or a particular age group or, occasionally, on the basis of some other criterion. In formulating an admissions policy a school must, however, ensure it is lawful. In particular, it must act in accordance with section 7 of the Equal Status Act 2000.

Where a Board of Management refuses to enrol a student in a school, the parent of the student or, where the student has reached 18 years of age, the student himself or herself, following the conclusion of any appeal procedures at school level, has a statutory entitlement under section 29 of the Education Act to appeal that decision to my Department. A committee is established to hear the appeal with hearings conducted with a minimum of formality. In most cases appeals must be dealt with within 30 days. Where appropriate, my Department may give whatever directions to the Board of Management that are considered necessary to remedy the matter complained of.

The existence of an appeals procedure serves to ensure that schools abide by their enrolment policies. Details on appealing decisions on enrolment under section 29 of the Education Act are available on my Department's website at www.education.ie

The information requested by the Deputy in relation to waiting lists is not available in my Department.