Written answers
Thursday, 15 February 2024
Department of Education and Skills
School Admissions
Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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198. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills how the Education (Admissions to schools) Act 2018 is enforced, including the processes involved and the number of times it has been enforced in the previous three years; if no such enforcement proceedings have happened to date, if she has plans to begin enforcing the requirements of the 2018 Act; if so, the timeline; the process for reporting non-compliance with the 2018 Act; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7159/24]
Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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In accordance with the Education Act 1998, schools are managed by Boards of Management on behalf of the relevant school patrons. Under the provisions of the Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018, all schools have admissions policies, which have been approved by the patron, following consultation with staff and parents of children who are attending the school. All schools must publish their admissions policy on the schools website.
The act provides an opportunity for parents with children attending the school to contribute to the development of the admission policy before it is approved by the Patron. This ensures that the important voice of the parent is included in the finalised policy. It is a key requirement of the act that all school admission policies are fair and transparent.
In the event that the Department becomes aware of a school with an admissions policy that contravenes the provisions of the act, the Department will contact the school so that the necessary arrangements are taken by the school to be compliant with the Act. Templates were also provided by the Department for all schools to ensure consistency and compliance with the act.
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