Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats)
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240. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if an application process (details supplied) allowing only one school to be named on the application form will be extended to allow more school choices should space be unavailable for the school a student selects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8985/20]

Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
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The question of enrolment in individual schools, including the setting of catchment areas and central application processes, such as the one referred to by the Deputy, are the responsibility of the school authorities and my Department does not seek to intervene in decisions made by schools in such matters. It is the responsibility of the school authorities of schools to implement an enrolment policy in accordance with the Education Act 1998 and the Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018.

My Department's main responsibility is to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all pupils seeking places. Parents have the right to choose which school to apply to and where the school has places available the pupil should be admitted. However, in schools where there are more applicants than places available 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. However, it may result in some pupils not obtaining a place in their school of first choice. In this regard, school authorities may find it necessary to prioritise enrolment of children from particular areas or on the basis of some other criterion.