Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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170. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will contact a school (details supplied) and request that the number of students per class would be increased by two to three pupils which would ensure that all of the children born in 2012 will be accommodated in 2017 in view of the acute crisis of accommodation regarding junior infant uptake for a school. [29220/17]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that the matter of enrolments is one for managerial authorities of schools who are required to implement an enrolment policy in accordance with the Education Act, 1998.  In regard to the school referred to by the Deputy, it is a matter for the Board of Management to determine the number of junior infant places available for September 2017. 

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.

My Department’s main responsibility is to ensure that the existing schools in an area can, between them, cater for the demand in the area. I wish to assure the Deputy that my Department is monitoring the enrolment position in the Swords area closely and is in ongoing contact with the Patrons of schools in the area.

In that regard I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department has been advised by two of the primary schools concerned that they have junior infant places currently available.  These schools have also expressed a willingness to offer further junior infant places for September 2017, if necessary.