Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 35: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if, in respect of the two community national schools operating in north County Dublin, questions regarding the country of origin of the child in addition to the parents' name, nationality and occupation are questions which are mandatory and must be answered by the parents or guardian in order to complete a valid school application form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19243/09]

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

The new community national schools acknowledge and respect the diversity of values, beliefs, languages and traditions in Irish society and operate in a spirit of partnership between patron, teachers, students, parents and the wider community served by the school. They aim at all times to provide a caring, happy and secure atmosphere where the intellectual, spiritual, physical, moral and cultural needs of the children are identified and met. Therefore the admission form for the community national schools includes questions seeking information on country of origin, nationality, parents' name and occupation. It is not compulsory for parents to declare such information when enrolling their children in the schools.

For operational reasons and to assist the evaluation of community national school pilot model, it is helpful to know what nationalities and cultural traditions are represented in the schools. The pilot phase provides an opportunity to test approaches to the practical issues that arise and to draw lessons from that experience that can allow the model to be developed and refined.