Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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172. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding school enrolment criteria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36865/16]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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In relation to school admissions, 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.

As the Deputy will appreciate, my Department's main responsibility is to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all pupils seeking places. In this regard, my Department is currently reviewing the demographic demand in the area serviced by the school referred to.

A building project for the school concerned, is included in my Department's 6 Year Capital Programme. This demographic review will assist in determining the appropriate level of accommodation required for the proposed building project.

In the interim, I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department recently approved additional temporary accommodation to address the school’s immediate and essential accommodation needs.

Section 29 of the Education Act, 1998 provides for an appeal by a parent or guardian to the Secretary General of my Department, or in the case of an Educational Training Board (ETB) school to the ETB in the first instance, 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, expels a student or suspends a student for 20 or more days in any school year. Further information on the Section 29 appeals process is available on the Department's website www.education.ie.

The Educational Welfare Service of the Child and Family Agency (EWS) is the statutory agency which can assist parents who are experiencing difficulty in securing a school place for their child. The EWS can be contacted at 01-7718500.