Fiona O'Loughlin (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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251. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the procedure in place for a family that is unable to find a second level place in their area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35612/18]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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My Department's main responsibility is to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all pupils seeking school places in an area. However, this may result in some pupils not obtaining a place in the school of their first choice. As schools may not have a place for every applicant, 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.

Under section 15 (2) (d) of the Education Act, 1998, each school is legally obliged to disclose its enrolment policy and to ensure that, as regards that policy, principles of equality and the right of parents to send their children to a school of the parents' choice are respected.

Section 29 of the Education Act, 1998 provides for an appeal by a parent or guardian to the Secretary General of my Department or - in the case of an Education and Training Board (ETB) school - to the ETB in the first instance, where a Board of Management of a school, or a person acting on behalf of the Board, refuses to enrol a student in a school, expels a student, or suspends a student for 20 or more days in any school year. My  Department has no authority to compel a school to admit a pupil, except in the case of an appeal under section 29 of the Education Act, 1998 being upheld.

Application forms for taking a section 29 appeal are available on my Departments website at the following link :

, or by contacting Section 29 Administration Unit, Friars Mill Road, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath, phone 0761 108588.

The Educational Welfare Service (EWS) of the Child and Family Agency (TUSLA) is the statutory agency which can assist parents who are experiencing difficulty in securing a school place for their child.

The EWS may be able to offer assistance and advice on securing a school placement within your  area. The contact details for the head office of the EWS is Educational Welfare Service of the Child and Family Agency,  Floors 2-5, Brunel Building, Heuston South Quarter, Dublin 8, phone number 01-7718500.