Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

83. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the way in which he envisages ensuring equal access to education in view of the derogation in equality legislation that allows schools to offer a place to a child of one religion over another; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52011/17]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

On 16th January 2017 I announced my intention to reform the school admissions system in relation to the role that religion can play in that process.

I have always indicated that I think it is unfair that preference can be given by publicly funded denominational schools to children of their own religion who might live some distance away, ahead of children of a different religion or of no religion who live close to the school. I also believe that it is unfair that some parents, who might otherwise not do so, feel pressure to baptise their children in order to gain admission to their local school.

This is why I ran a public consultation process from 24th January to 20th March 2017 on this matter, to which I received almost 1,000 submissions. I also held a public forum last May on the role of Religion in Primary School Admissions which was attended by 121 individuals.

I have outlined my intention to make changes in the first instance in respect of the primary school system. It was noted in the consultation paper that any changes need only apply in respect of oversubscribed schools (approximately 20% of schools). In respect of all other schools, the practice is to admit all applicants. This will become law following the enactment of the Education (Admission to Schools) Bill – when schools will be required to admit every child who applies.

Last June during Committee Stage debate on the Education (Admission to Schools) Bill I advised that my preference is to make changes to the Equal Status Act, 2000 that would remove the capacity for state-funded denominational primary schools, where they are oversubscribed, to use religion as a criteria in admissions process, with an exception for pupils of minority religions.

My officials are currently engaging with the Office of the Attorney General on the development of legislative proposals on this matter which I hope to bring forward to Government for approval shortly.