Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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244. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the criteria applicable to schools admissions following the enactment of the Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018 with particular emphasis on family and sibling connections to schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47088/18]

Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
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The Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018 was signed into law by the President on the 18^thJuly 2018. The overall objective of the Act is 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 Act does not prohibit schools from having a criteria that provides a priority to siblings in their school admission policy. The Act does however contain a provision that places a cap of 25% on the number of places that can be reserved by a school for children of a parent or grandparent having previously attended the school.

On the 3^rdOctober 2018, a number of sections of the Act were commenced and take effect from that date. The remaining sections of the Act, which have not yet been commenced, including the section relating to admission policies for schools, will require regulations and procedures to be drafted following consultation with the Education Partners prior to commencement.

It is planned to have these new arrangements in place for the 2020/21 school year.