Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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30. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the discussions she has had on the inclusion of provisions excluding denominational schools from using a child's religion in selection criteria for schools admissions in the forthcoming schools admissions Bill; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43883/15]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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Under the Equal Status Act, schools are not permitted to discriminate in admission on any of the grounds set out in the Act. However the Act contains an exemption which permits schools in which the objective is to provide education that promotes certain religious values, to admit a student of a particular religion in preference to others.

The Deputy will be aware of the many positive elements of the Admissions Bill, which will put an end to parents being charged fees to apply for a school place, will tear down the soft barriers erected in front of some children with special needs, and will bring openness and transparency to all school admissions.

The issue of the need to amend the Equal Status Act was not a feature of the consultation paper published in advance of the Admission to Schools Bill. When the Oireachtas committee considered this matter, it simply noted that "there is a potential tension between Articles 42 (Education) and 44 (Religion) of Bunreacht na hÉireann, and this poses a particular difficulty when legislating in this policy area." No amendment to the Equal Status Act has been included in the published Admission to Schools Bill.

I have subsequently made clear my view that this is a matter that does need to be reviewed and addressed, and will need to be a priority for the next Government so that this matter can be dealt with in advance of the next school year.