Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the steps he is taking to address the growing demand for primary school start places in County Meath in view of the fact that recent reports that the demand outstrips availability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6847/13]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Three new primary schools have opened in the last few years in County Meath to meet increased pupil numbers in the area and many existing schools in the County have had their intake capacity expanded. The Forward Planning Section of my Department will continue to monitor enrolments in County Meath to ensure that there is sufficient school accommodation to meet any projected future demands.

Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if a catholic school is allowed to refuse a non-catholic child who lives in the parish a place in their school; and if so, his views on whether this contravenes enrolment policies, which must be non-discriminatory, and the principles of equality. [6852/13]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The question of enrolment in individual schools is the responsibility of the managerial authority of those schools. My Department's main responsibility is to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all pupils seeking places.

It is the responsibility of the managerial authorities of schools to implement an enrolment policy in accordance with the Education Act, 1998. 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. The criteria to be applied by schools in such circumstances are a matter for the schools themselves. This selection process and the enrolment policy on which it is based must be non-discriminatory and must be applied fairly in respect of all applicants.

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 rights of parents to send their children to a school of the parents choice are respected.

Equality legislation, which also outlaws discrimination in relation to the admission of a student, makes provision for exemptions to apply in the case of single sex schools and in the case of schools where the objective is to provide education in an environment that promotes certain religious values. The legislation provides that any school that has this objective may admit a student of a particular religious denomination in preference to other students.

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.

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 Board can be contacted at National Educational Welfare Board, National Headquarters, 16-22 Green Street, Dublin 7 or by telephone at 01-8738700.

The Deputy will be aware that in 2011, I launched a discussion paper on school enrolment. The "Discussion Paper on a Regulatory Framework for School Enrolment" contains suggestions on how to make the process of enrolling in schools more open, equitable and consistent and is available on the Department website.

I invited education partners and interested parties to submit their views to my Department by 28 October 2011. The feedback from this consultation will help inform the nature and scope of a new regulatory framework for school enrolment. I intend to bring these proposals to Government in due course.