Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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205. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to make training available for principal teachers on enactment of the schools admission legislation in view of the fact that these principals will have additional responsibilities in areas such as pupil enrolment under the legislation. [29506/18]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy will be aware that the Education Admissions to School Bill, which is currently progressing through the Seanad, aims to provide a new framework for school enrolment that is designed to ensure that every child is treated fairly and that the way in which schools decide on applications for admission is structured, fair and transparent.

The approach taken, aims to strike the right balance between school autonomy and fairness in our education system. 

In relation to the role of the school Principal, the Bill does not alter, but recognises the current position that it is the school Principal who normally implements the school’s admission policy.  The Bill also provides for regulations to be made in relation to a number of key aspects of school admission.  In that regard, the Bill requires the Minister to consult with the education stakeholders, including management bodies and teacher unions, prior to the making of such regulations. Over and above the requirements of the Bill, the Department will also be consulting and engaging with both the IPPN and NAPD as representatives of primary and post-primary school Principals. This consultative process will help ensure that any concerns in relation to the implementation of the legislation can be taken account of and that the resulting regulations are as practical and straightforward as possible to operate for Principals, schools and for parents.