Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats)
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351. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her views on the CAPPS process and the limit to only apply to one school in the deanery; the recourse available to students who fail to receive a school placement through the deanery process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41778/20]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The question of enrolment in individual schools, including 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. 

Where a board of management makes a decision to refuse admission, a parent/guardian can appeal that decision under section 29 of the Education Act, 1998, and an independent appeals committee will be appointed to consider the appeal. It is important to note that if a child have been refused admission due to the school being oversubscribed, and a parent/guardian wishes to appeal this decision they must firstly make a written request to the school seeking a review of the board of management’s decision. 

Further information on the Section 29 appeals process is available on the Department's website at the following link: . 

The Educational Welfare Service of the Child and Family Agency (EWS) is the agency which can assist parents who are experiencing difficulty in securing a school place for their child. The EWS can be contacted at 01-7718500 for assistance.  More information on school attendance is available on their website on the following link: .

For ease of reference a link has been provided to the relevant phone numbers for the Education Welfare Officers assigned to various areas around the country .