Michael McNamara (Clare, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1268. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will make a decision, following consultation with patrons, national associations of parents, recognised school management organisations, recognised trade unions and staff associations representing teachers, on decisions by a board or a person acting on behalf of the board which may be appealed in accordance with section 29 of the Education Act 1998; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33406/14]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As the Deputy is aware, the Government gave approval in March of this year for drafting the Education (Admissions to Schools) Bill 2014 and the General Scheme has since been referred to the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel to the Government for drafting.

The aim in bringing forward legislative proposals in relation to school admission is to improve the admissions process and to ensure that the way schools decide on applications is structured, fair and transparent.

A key objective in designing the framework is to create greater confidence for parents that the admission criteria laid down by schools are legitimate, reasonable and fair.

The Deputy may also be interested to know that my Department is considering the development of a Parent and Student Charter. The purpose of the Charter is to strengthen the position of parents within the school system and foster a culture of improved engagement and communication by schools with parents and students. Changing how schools engage with, listen and respond to parent concerns will be an important part of a Charter. Providing parents with the rationale for any decision is important. If schools help parents to understand the basis for a decision, parents are more likely to accept the fairness of the decisions.