Seán Haughey (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail)
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113. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the steps taken recently to deal with an accommodation crisis in a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21283/17]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department's main responsibility is to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all pupils seeking school places in the area.

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.

The Deputy will be aware that my Department opened a new primary school last September to serve the Drumcondra/Marino/Dublin 1 school planning area, which is adjacent to the school planning area of the school concerned.

I also wish to advise the Deputy that enrolment levels in the school in question, would not warrant the appointment of an additional teacher.