Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail)
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214. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the rationale behind the approach taken in the draft regulations on school admissions which were published in September 2013 that sought to limit the number of places that could be allocated to children of past pupils to a maximum of 25%. [37339/16]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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The Education (Admission to Schools) Bill was published on 6 July 2016 and passed second stage on 17 November 2016.

Publication of the Bill reflects the commitment in the Programme for Government 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.

The Education (Admission to Schools) Bill 2016 provides that where a school has places available it must admit all applicants. The Bill clarifies the power of the Minister to make regulations and sets out clearly matters relating to enrolment that regulations may address.

The Bill aims to strike an appropriate balance between school autonomy and the interests of parents in our education system.

In relation to a school providing priority in admissions to children of past pupils, the approach taken in the draft regulations, which were published with the General Scheme in September 2013  by the then Minister for Education Mr. Ruairí Quinn, aimed to strike a balance by limiting the number of places that could be allocated by an oversubscribed school to children of past pupils to a maximum of 25%.

At present the Admissions Bill is silent in relation to any power to determine a limitation on priority for children of past pupils where a school is oversubscribed either by setting a percentage or otherwise.

I consider that in bringing the Bill through the Oireachtas, there will be opportunities for members to raise and fully debate this matter, which I plan to deal with in primary legislation by way of an amendment to the Bill.

My view is that the previous proposal by the then Minister Quinn, that this limitation be set at 25%, is broadly where I see consensus being possible. However, I intend to listen to all views on this matter.