Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
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513. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will assist a school (details supplied) with a matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54208/22]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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In relation to school admissions, it is the responsibility of the managerial authorities of all schools to implement an enrolment policy in accordance with the Education Act, 1998 and the Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018.

Under the provisions of the Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018, all schools are required to have admissions policies, which have been approved by the patron, following consultation with staff and parents of children who are attending the school. The school’s admissions policy is published on the schools website. It is a key requirement of the act that all school admission policies are fair and transparent.

Parents have the right to choose which school to apply to and where the school has places available for the relevant year, the pupil/student should be admitted. However, in schools where there are more applicants than places available, a selection process will 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.

The DEIS Programme is the main policy initiative of the Department of Education to address educational disadvantage at school level. This school is in DEIS Band 1. Schools in DEIS Band 1 receive a range of supports including additional teaching posts, HSCL co-ordinator, additional financial supports, and access to the School Completion Programme and School Meals Scheme.

The Department has also provided this school with additional teaching resources in order to ensure that the school is supported for when surges in attendance occur. Due to its exceptional circumstances, this school can also apply for pro-rata capitation funding in response to exceptional fluctuating enrolments during the school year.

The Departments data indicates that enrolments in 2022 for the Rathkeale area is 796 and this will increase slightly to 818 by 2026. The Department is planning to provide an additional classroom in the school, and build an additional two classrooms to replace two prefabs in the school.

The Department has been in contact with the school on a couple of occasions in early October, to offer a meeting to discuss the concerns raised, and are awaiting a response from the school.