Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 483: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if he will support the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 13; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41764/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I have attached, for the Deputy's information, the most up-to-date list of post primary schools providing the Leaving Certificate Applied Programme and located in the vicinity of the address of the parent in question. The question of enrolment in individual schools is the responsibility of the managerial authority of those schools. Under section 15 (2) (d) of the Education Act 1998, each school is legally obliged to disclose its enrolment policy and to ensure that as regards that policy that principles of equality and the right of parents to send their children to a school of the parents' choice are respected.

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. 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 either the relevant Vocational Educational Committee or to the Secretary General of my Department. In the case of the latter, only where an appeal under Section 29 is upheld can the Secretary General of my Department direct a school to enrol a pupil.

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 advises parents to apply to more than one school in order to assist in securing a school placement. The Board can be contacted at National Educational Welfare Board, National Headquarters, 16-22 Green Street, Dublin 7 or by telephone at 01-8738700.