Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
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110. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the catchment area a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary falls into to attend an autism spectrum disorder unit in a secondary school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18004/16]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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My Department's priority is to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all pupils seeking school places in the area.

The NCSE have advised that there are four post primary schools in the area referred to by the Deputy that have classes for pupils with ASD. These are Ardscoil na mBraithre Clonmel 65320J; St. Ailbe's School, Rosanna Road, Tipperary Town 72480W; Coláiste Dun Iascaigh, Cashel Road, Cahir 76063D and Cashel Community School, Dualla Road, Cashel 91497A.

The NCSE have also advised that they expect to open up to 150 new special classes for the coming school year. Full details of all special classes are available at www.ncse.ie.

The enrolment of a child to a school is a matter, in the first instance, for the parent of the child and the Board of Management of a school. However, parents who may need advice or assistance in transitioning their child to post primary school, or are experiencing difficulties in securing a school placement should contact their local SENO. All schools have the contact details of their local SENO.

Parents can choose which school to apply to and, where the school has places available, the pupil should be admitted. However, in schools where there are more applicants than places available a selection process may be necessary. 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. However, this may result in some pupils not obtaining a place in the school of their first choice.

Section 29 of the Education Act, 1998 provides for an appeal by a parent or guardian to the Secretary General of my Department, where a Board of Management of a school, or a person acting on behalf of the Board, refuses to enrol a student in a school. My Department has no authority to compel a school to admit a pupil, except in the case of an appeal under section 29 of the Education Act, 1998 being upheld.

Application forms for taking a section 29 appeal are available on my Department's website at the following link: , or by contacting Section 29 Administration Unit, Friars Mill Road, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath, phone 0761 108588. Appeals should be taken within 42 days from receipt of written notification from the school's Board of Management.

The Programme for Government contains a commitment to publish new School Admissions legislation taking account of current draft proposals and addressing issues including publication of school enrolment policies, an end to waiting lists, introduction of annual enrolment structures, and transparency and fairness in admissions for pupils and their parents.

I have commenced a process of consultation with opposition parties to discuss my proposals to introduce a new Admissions Bill to make the process of enrolling children in school easier for parents.

Following these consultations, it is my intention to publish a new Admissions Bill during the current Dáil session. The new Bill will oblige all schools to admit pupils where there are available places.