Written answers
Tuesday, 30 September 2008
Department of Education and Science
School Enrolments
11:00 pm
Ulick Burke (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 622: To ask the Minister for Education and Science his views on the decision of the school principal and board of management of a second level school to refuse admission to a person (details supplied) in County Galway who was enrolled following an open day at this school earlier in 2008 and in September 2008 was told to leave the school on the first day of term; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32504/08]
Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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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. I understand from enquires made by officials of my Department that the NEWB is providing assistance to the mother of the child concerned in respect of this matter.
Enrolment decisions are the responsibility of the Board of Management of each individual school. Section 29 of the Education Act 1998 provides parents with an appeal process where a Board of Management of a school or a person acting on behalf of the Board refuses enrolment to a student or expels the student from the school. In these circumstances, the school is obliged to inform parents of their right under Section 29 of Education Act 1998 to appeal that decision. Where the school is established or maintained by a VEC, an appeal shall lie in the first instance to the VEC and thereafter to the Secretary General of my Department. It is only where an appeal under Section 29 is upheld that the Secretary General of my Department may direct a school to enrol or re-instate a pupil.
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