James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 726: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the reason a child (details supplied) in County Longford who has cerebral palsy and is confined to a wheelchair has been denied a place in a national school on the grounds that it has no room or facilities for a wheelchair; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23248/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The enrolment of a pupil in a school is a matter for the Board of Management of the school and my Department has no role in relation to processing applications for enrolment by schools. Where a school refuses to enrol a pupil, the school is obliged to inform parents of their right under Section 29 of the Education Act 1998 to appeal that decision to the Secretary General of my Department. Where an appeal under Section 29 is upheld, the Secretary General may direct a school to enrol a pupil.

I understand that the family in question has made two separate appeals under Section 29 of the Education Act, 1998 against the school in question regarding its refusal to enrol the child. Both appeals have not been upheld. The appeal's committee decision was conveyed to the family and in reaching its decision, the committee recognised the child's complex needs and the school's capacity to meet those needs.

The National Educational Welfare Board (NEWB) is the statutory agency which can assist parents who are experiencing difficulty in securing a school place for their child. The NEWB is supported by local Educational Welfare Officers (EWOs) throughout the country. The local EWO Officer has been proactive in assisting the parents of the child referred to and has been in contact with them on a regular basis. It is open to the parents to submit an application to my Department for Home Tuition Grant as an interim arrangement until a suitable educational placement has been sourced. I understand that the EWO has provided the relevant application forms to the family.