Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that it is the responsibility of the managerial authorities of all schools to implement an enrolment policy in accordance with the Education Act 1998. In schools where there are more applicants than places available, a selection process may be necessary.

The selection process used by schools 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 accordance with the provisions of the Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018, all schools have drafted new policies to be published on the school’s website.

The act requires schools to clearly set out their selection criteria for application in the event of oversubscription, in their admission policies. The criteria to be applied by schools and the order of priority are a matter for the schools themselves.

Further information on the new admission process is available on the Department’s website at www.education.ie/en/Parents/Information/School-Enrolment.

In order to plan for school provision and analyse the relevant demographic data, my Department divides the country into 314 school planning areas and uses a Geographical Information System (GIS). The GIS uses data from a range of sources, including Child Benefit Data from the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection and the Department's own school enrolment databases, to identify where the pressure for school places across the country will arise.

The process has been strengthened this year through three specific initiatives:

(i) enhanced engagement with local authorities in relation to the information on residential development incorporated in the analysis process;

(ii) additional engagement with patron bodies in relation to their local knowledge on school place requirements. Education and Training Boards, Diocesan offices and national patron bodies such as Educate Together, An Foras Pátrúnachta etc. can also be an important source of local knowledge. This will add to information also provided to the Department by local authorities or individual schools.

(iii) utilising the information gleaned from schools under the national inventory of school capacity completed by individual schools last year as part of POD, P-POD returns process.

Similar to the process adopted for September 2020 readiness, the Department will be engaging further with patron bodies shortly in advance of identifying specific September 2021 capacity pressure points priorities which will necessitate specific action.

In a ‘normal’ year, addressing the increase demands for school places, whilst challenging, is manageable – generally through utilisation of existing spare capacity within schools, rental, temporary accommodation or other short term measures pending the delivery of permanent accommodation.

Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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513. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 464 of 17 November 2020, if she will address the further information provided (details supplied). [38647/20]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I would like to again reassure the Deputy that ensuring that every child has a suitable school placement is an ongoing priority for my Department.

The National Council for Special Education is responsible for planning and coordinating education provision at a local level. The Council through its national network of SENOs work with schools and parents to ensure that every child is supported and is given access to education.

The Deputy may be aware that the NCSE has advised that it is experiencing difficulties in securing special school placements in certain areas in Cork, but that they are continuing to work as a matter of urgency in accommodating students who require such placements.

I want to acknowledge that there are some schools where places will not become available until September, 2021.

The local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs) continue to have regular contact with the family. They also continue to liaise with schools to identify suitable provision.

In circumstances where no placement is available for a child with special educational needs, the Department can provide Home Tuition grant funding towards the provision of 20 hours home tuition per week as an interim measure until the NCSE confirms that a placement is available.

Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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514. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will make enquiries in relation to the lack of school places in schools (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38655/20]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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In order to plan for school provision and analyse the relevant demographic data, my Department divides the country into 314 school planning areas and uses a Geographical Information System (GIS). The GIS uses data from a range of sources, including Child Benefit Data from the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection and the Department's own school enrolment databases, to identify where the pressure for school places across the country will arise.

The process has been strengthened this year through three specific initiatives:

(i) enhanced engagement with local authorities in relation to the information on residential development incorporated in the analysis process;

(ii) additional engagement with patron bodies in relation to their local knowledge on school place requirements. Education and Training Boards, Diocesan offices and national patron bodies such as Educate Together, An Foras Pátrúnachta etc. can also be an important source of local knowledge. This will add to information also provided to the Department by local authorities or individual schools.

(iii) utilising the information gleaned from schools under the national inventory of school capacity completed by individual schools last year as part of POD, P-POD returns process.

Similar to the process adopted for September 2020 readiness, the Department will be engaging further with patron bodies shortly in advance of identifying specific September 2021 capacity pressure points priorities which will necessitate specific action.

In a ‘normal’ year, addressing the increase demands for school places, whilst challenging, is manageable – generally through utilisation of existing spare capacity within schools, rental, temporary accommodation or other short term measures pending the delivery of permanent accommodation.

My Department is currently assessing an application for additional accommodation from the first named school included in the details supplied by the Deputy and a response will issue directly to the school authority when the assessment has been completed.

A new school building is being provided for the second named school and the project is currently at stage 2b of the architectural planning process with planning permission having been granted. My Department has provided funding to the school for interim accommodation pending construction of the new school building. When constructed, the school will have capacity for 1,000 pupils.

A major building project for the third named school to increase its capacity to 1,000 pupils is currently on site.