Seán Haughey (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail)
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200. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when the baptism barrier provision in the Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018 will be commenced; if schools can still request the submission of a baptismal cert in respect of a potential pupil in over subscribed schools and in under subscribed schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2924/19]

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 18th July 2018.

This Act is an important piece of legislation which will introduce a more parent-friendly, equitable and consistent approach to how school admissions policy operates for the almost 4,000 primary and post-primary schools in this country and a fair and balanced school admission process for all pupils.

The Act contains a provision, which was commenced on 3rd October 2018 and is operational since that date, amending the Equal Status Act 2000 to prohibit the use of religion as a selection criterion in primary school admissions, with certain protections provided to ensure that a child of a minority religion can access a school providing a religious instruction or religious education programme consistent with his or her religious beliefs.