Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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Under the Education Act 1998, the question of enrolment policy in individual schools, including the setting of catchment areas, is the responsibility of the Board of Management on behalf of the school patron. The 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, this may result in some pupils not obtaining a place in the school of their first choice. The Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018 requires schools to clearly set out their selection criteria in their admission policies. Schools have discretion in relation to their admission criteria and how they are applied. Living in a particular catchment area is one criteria that a school may apply. The criteria to be applied by schools and the order of priority are a matter for the schools themselves. My Department does not intervene in the criteria set by a school.

My Department's main responsibility is to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all pupils seeking school places in the area.

In order to plan for school provision and to analyse the relevant demographic data, the Department divides the country into 314 school planning areas and uses a Geographical Information System, using data from a range of sources, including Child Benefit and school enrolment data, to identify where the pressure for school places across the country will arise and where additional school accommodation is needed at primary and post-primary level.

New schools established since 2011 to meet demographic demand are required, in the first instance, to prioritise pupil applications from within the designated school planning area(s) which the school was established to serve. This does not preclude schools from enrolling pupils from outside of the school planning area where they have sufficient places, rather it reflects the need to accommodate in the first instance the demographic for which the school was established.

In most areas, school planning areas were based on traditional school catchment areas where all primary schools were assigned to a post-primary feeder area (typically a population centre or town), containing one or more post-primary schools. With the introduction of Small Areas in Census 2011, these feeder areas were amended to align with Census Small Areas. The current school planning areas take account not only of local groupings of schools, but also of natural boundaries, Census Small Areas and other local conditions.

As stated above, the question of enrolment in individual schools, including the setting of catchment areas, is the responsibility of the Board of Management on behalf of the school Patron and my Department does not seek to intervene in decisions made by schools in such matters. It is the responsibility of the managerial authorities of all schools to implement an enrolment policy in accordance with the Education Act, 1998.

Section 29 of the Education Act, 1998 provides for an appeal by a parent or guardian to the Secretary General of my Department, or in the case of an Educational Training Board (ETB) school to the ETB in the first instance, where a Board of Management of a school, or a person acting on behalf of the Board, refuses to enrol a student in a school.

Further information on the Section 29 appeals process is available on my Department's website www.education.ie. The Education Welfare Service (EWS) of the Child and Family Agency (Tusla) is the statutory 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.

Réada Cronin (Kildare North, Sinn Fein)
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314. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills how many children in north Kildare are currently left without a school-place in secondary school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6476/24]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I can assure the Deputy that the provision of school places to meet the needs of children and young people at primary and post primary level, including children and young people with special educational needs is an absolute priority for the Department.

My Department is aware of pressures for school places for the 2024/25 school year in North Kildare School Planning Areas of Maynooth, Newbridge, Naas, Celbridge, Kilcock, Curragh, Kildare and Prosperous_Clane.

A critical next step for my Department is to establish the actual number of additional first year places required for 2024 in order for an appropriate solution to be put in place. In that context, schools in a number of areas of enrolment pressure, including Maynooth, Newbridge, Naas, Celbridge, Kilcock, Curragh, Kildare and Prosperous_Clane, have been requested to share data on applications for admissions. This data has been received by my officials and is currently being analysed with a view to establishing the actual requirement for places. Preliminary assessments indicate that duplications of applications, and applications from outside the local area, are contributing to enrolment pressures in North Kildare School Planning Areas.

The availability of places is a matter for each individual school in the context of their Admissions legislation. Enrolment data for previous schools years is available on the Department website. Provisional enrolment data for the 2023/24 school year is available of the Departments website at www.gov.ie

Nevertheless, my Department is working to clarify the actual requirement for additional school places and to identify particular further capacity requirements for 2024 and forthcoming years. My Department will engage with schools and patrons to put any required solutions in place - beyond those that are already in train - to ensure sufficient school places to meet the needs of students in the area.

I can assure the Deputy that Department officials will continue to actively engage with schools and patrons to ensure that there is appropriate provision for all students in the Maynooth, Newbridge, Naas, Celbridge, Kilcock, Curragh, Kildare and Prosperous_Clane area for the 2024/25 school year and into the future. Families can be assured that any necessary solution will be delivered so that all of the children in North Kildare School Planning Areas will receive a first year place.

Réada Cronin (Kildare North, Sinn Fein)
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315. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills how long each child now relying on home tuition due to a lack of a school-places is availing of the service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6477/24]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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It is an absolute priority of the Department to ensure that every child in the state has access to a school place that is appropriate to their needs and we are continually investing in existing and new schools to ensure that this is the case.

Since 2020, my Department has invested in the region of €4.3 billion in our schools throughout the country, including the completion of over 750 school building projects with construction currently underway at approximately 300 other projects, which includes 34 new school buildings. School building projects at construction involve an overall State investment of over €1.2 billion. This is a record level of investment in our schools and highlights the Government’s very strong track record of delivery in providing additional capacity and modern facilities for our school communities.

This capital investment is underpinned by a robust school planning approach that uses a Geographical Information System to anticipate school place demand. Information from a range of sources, including Child Benefit Data, school enrolment data and information on residential development activity is utilised for this purpose.

The Home Tuition Grant Scheme is available to provide funding towards the provision of a compensatory educational service for children who, for a number of specific reasons, are unable to attend school.

Home tuition is provided as an interim measure only for children for whom a placement in a recognised school is not currently available, for a variety of reasons. It is a short term measure, and should not be regarded as an optional alternative to a school placement. Aspects of the scheme differ, depending on the reason for the application.

The Department of Education operates three categories of home tuition:

1. Home tuition for children with special educational needs and on medical grounds. Further detail is available on gov - Home Tuition (www.gov.ie)

2. Maternity-related absences gov - Home Tuition (www.gov.ie)

3. Reasons other than special educational needs and medical grounds

a.Strand 1 offers a temporary educational measure for a child who is temporarily without a school place, or without the offer of a school place and who is a actively seeking a place in a school recognised by the department. No School Place (NSP) Home Tuition Scheme provides interim provision for children without a school place, without the offer of a school place and for whom a place is being actively sought. Provision of tuition under this scheme is for a maximum of 9 hours per week for a period of 12 weeks or until the end of the school year or until the child in question receives an offer of a school place, whichever occurs first.

b. Strand 2 of this scheme is for children in care, who are without a school place due to emergency placement or placement disruption. The CIC Home Tuition Grant Scheme provides tuition for a maximum of 6 weeks for Children in Care for a maximum of 9 hours per week who are without a school place due to emergency placement or placement disruption. The maximum number of weeks of Home Tuition funding available under this scheme in any school year is 6 weeks. If, following 6 weeks the child is still without a school place, an application for the Department’s NSP Home Tuition Grant Scheme may then be made.

Home tuition is not an alternative to a school placement and is provided in very limited and specific circumstances By its nature, it is intended to be a short term intervention.There are a variety of reasons why a child may be without a school place such as children moving school mid-year, family relocating, expulsion, children receiving a place further away than they can travel to and HTS as a short-term solution until a transport solution is put in place.

In 2023/2024 119 pupils have availed of Home Tuition Strand 1 and Strand 2- 85% have availed of or are availing of 12 weeks of Home tuition with a further 15% availing of an additional 12 weeks of Home Tuition.

The Educational Welfare Service is part of Tusla Education Support Service and operates under the Education (Welfare) Act, 2000, a piece of legislation that emphasises the promotion of school attendance, participation and retention.. The Educational Welfare Service can assist parents who are experiencing difficulty in securing a school placement for their child. Solutions will continue to be advanced to ensure that home tuition, where required for reasons of not immediately having a school place, remains a short term intervention. Home tuition is not an alternative to a school placement. Application forms for the home tuition scheme for students who are temporarily without a school place, are without an offer of a school place and are actively seeking a school placement in a recognised school grant scheme are available from the local educational welfare officer (EWO) or the appointed social worker. The Educational Welfare Service can assist a family when applying for home tuition if the child/young person is without a school placement. Home tutors are engaged by the parents/guardian of the child who is to receive tuition and the tutor has no contractual relationship with the Department of Education.

Réada Cronin (Kildare North, Sinn Fein)
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316. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if, as per an RTÉ interview, she is now guaranteeing a first-year school place for each child who requires one in north Kildare in the school year 2024; if she can further guarantee a school place in second year for the children currently without a school place in first year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6478/24]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I can assure the Deputy that the provision of school places to meet the needs of children and young people at primary and post primary level, including children and young people with special educational needs is an absolute priority for the Department.

My Department is aware of pressures for school places for the 2024/25 school year in North Kildare School Planning Areas of Maynooth, Newbridge, Naas, Celbridge, Kilcock, Curragh, Kildare and Prosperous_Clane.

As part of planning for September 2024, data on applications for admission has been received by the department from post-primary schools across these areas of enrolment pressure, and updated data on offers and acceptances continues to be received as admissions processes transact.

The sharing of this data has been very effective in the identification of school place requirements across the areas. In the majority of areas across Kildare, through the work of schools, patrons, management bodies and the Department, there are sufficient school places available to meet the needs of children in the area. The Department is working with schools and patrons to make additional places available in areas where a need has been identified.

While some applicants may not yet have received an offer of a school place for 2024/25, families can be assured that all children who require a school place will be provided with one. The Department is continuing to work with schools and patrons to ensure that there are sufficient school places available, and to put any required solutions in place.

There are a variety of reasons why a child may be without a school place during a school year such as children moving school mid-year, family relocating, expulsion, or requiring time for a school transport solution to be put in place.

The Educational Welfare Service is part of Tusla Education Support Service and operates under the Education (Welfare) Act, 2000. The Educational Welfare Service can assist parents who are experiencing difficulty in securing a school placement for their child.

Solutions will continue to be advanced to ensure that home tuition, where required for reasons of not immediately having a school place, remains a short term intervention.

There will be greater clarity for families over the coming weeks as admissions processes continue to work through and required additional places come on stream.

Réada Cronin (Kildare North, Sinn Fein)
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317. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if, as per RTÉ interview, she is now guaranteeing a first year school place for each child who requires one in north Kildare in the school year 2024; if she can further guarantee a school-place in second year for the children currently without a school-place in first year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6479/24]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I can assure the Deputy that the provision of school places to meet the needs of children and young people at primary and post primary level, including children and young people with special educational needs is an absolute priority for the Department.

My Department is aware of pressures for school places for the 2024/25 school year in North Kildare School Planning Areas of Maynooth, Newbridge, Naas, Celbridge, Kilcock, Curragh, Kildare and Prosperous_Clane.

As part of planning for September 2024, data on applications for admission has been received by the department from post-primary schools across these areas of enrolment pressure, and updated data on offers and acceptances continues to be received as admissions processes transact.

The sharing of this data has been very effective in the identification of school place requirements across the areas. In the majority of areas across Kildare, through the work of schools, patrons, management bodies and the Department, there are sufficient school places available to meet the needs of children in the area. The Department is working with schools and patrons to make additional places available in a small number of areas where a need has been identified.

While some applicants may not yet have received an offer of a school place for 2024/25, families can be assured that all children who require a school place will be provided with one. The Department is continuing to work with schools and patrons to ensure that there are sufficient school places available, and to put any required solutions in place.

There will be greater clarity for families over the coming weeks as admissions processes continue to work through and required additional places come on stream.

Réada Cronin (Kildare North, Sinn Fein)
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318. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills how many times her Department has forced a school to take a child who was not awarded a school place in each of the last three years, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6480/24]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The Department's main responsibility is to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all pupils seeking school places in the area.

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.

This department has no authority to compel a school to admit a student, except in circumstances where an appeal under Section 29 of the Education Act, 1998 has been allowed and the appeals committee directs that the school admit the child concerned.

The number of appeals allowed under Section 29 where a student was initially refused admission to enrol for the relevant year is as follows:

If a parent is unsuccessful with a Section 29 appeal they may be able to qualify for home tuition. The Home Tuition Grant Scheme is available to provide funding towards the provision of a compensatory educational service for children who, for a number of specific reasons, are unable to attend school. Home tuition is provided as an interim measure only for children for whom a placement in a recognised school is not currently available and should not be regarded as an optional alternative to a school placement.

Tusla Education Support Service (TESS) has the responsibility to support a family when applying or home tuition if the child/young person is without a school placement. Home tutors are engaged by the parents/guardian of the child who is to receive tuition and the tutor has no contractual relationship with the Department of Education.

If a parent/guardian is unsuccessful sourcing a tutor for home tuition they should contact Tusla Education Support Service (TESS). Application forms for the home tuition scheme for students who are temporarily without a school place, are without an offer of a school place and are actively seeking a school placement in a recognised school grant scheme are available from the local Educational Welfare Officer (EWO) or the appointed social worker. Educational Welfare Officers are available to assist parents with the application for home tuition, if needed.

Section 67(3) of the Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018 was enacted in August 2022 and provides Tusla with the power to designate a school for a child to attend. In the period since, the Educational Welfare Services (EWS) have completed one designation under Section 67.

Réada Cronin (Kildare North, Sinn Fein)
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319. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will, as a matter of urgency, be ‘requiring’ schools in north Kildare to accept a child who has not been successful in being awarded a school-place in first year and other years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6481/24]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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It is an absolute priority of my Department to ensure that every child in the state has access to a school place that is appropriate to their needs and we are continually investing in existing and new schools to ensure that this is the case. There are a variety of reasons why a child may be without a school place, such as, children moving school mid-year, family relocating, expulsion and children receiving a place further away than they can travel to.

The Educational Welfare Service (EWS) is part of Tusla Education Support Service (TESS) and operates under the Education (Welfare) Act, 2000, a piece of legislation that emphasises the promotion of school attendance, participation and retention. The EWS is a statutory service and its primary role is to ensure that every child either attends school regularly or otherwise receives a certain minimum education and to ensure and secure every child’s entitlement to education.

The Educational Welfare Service can assist parents who are experiencing difficulty in securing a school placement for their child. Referrals to the Educational Welfare Service may be made throughout the school year. Once a referral is made to the Educational Welfare Service in respect of a child or young person with no school place, it will remain an open case until such time as a school place is offered and accepted.

The Home Tuition Grant Scheme is also available to provide funding towards the provision of a compensatory educational service for children who, for a number of specific reasons, are unable to attend school. Home tuition is provided as an interim measure only for children for whom a placement in a recognised school is not currently available. Solutions will continue to be advanced to ensure that, home tuition, where required for reasons of not immediately having a school place, remains a short term intervention.