Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

188. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she is aware of the shortage of secondary school places in the Tallaght area; the actions her Department is taking to address these issues; and if assistance will be provided to a student (details supplied) to secure a place in a school. [23384/24]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

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 my Department.

As the Deputy may be aware, while there can be enrolment pressures and demand for additional school places in some areas, it is important to note sometimes this may not be as a result of lack of accommodation, but may be driven by the following factors:

• Duplication of applications

• School of choice

• Single sex schools

• External draw

Notwithstanding the above, in some areas demographic pressures and other factors are driving a requirement for additional school places.

There are currently a number of active projects at primary and post primary level in the Firhouse_Oldbawn School Planning Area, including a new school building project for Firhouse ET Secondary School which will provide for an LTPE of 1,000 and 6 SEN, this project is currently at Stage 2b. The Capital Programme details the school projects that are being progressed under Project Ireland 2040. The current status of large-scale projects being delivered under Project Ireland 2040, may be viewed on the Department's website at, www.gov.ie and this information is updated regularly. In addition, a list of large-scale projects completed from 2010 to date may also be viewed on the website.

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 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.

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, this may result in some pupils not obtaining a place in the school of their first choice.

The Educational Welfare Services (EWS) of the Child and Family Agency (Tusla) is the statutory agency that can assist parents who are experiencing difficulty in securing a school place for their child. The local service is delivered through the national network of Educational Welfare Officers (EWO). Contact details are available at www.tusla.ie/get-in-touch/education-and-welfare/. The specific information requested is not available at this time.

I can assure the Deputy that my Department will continue to keep the school place requirements in the Firhouse_Oldbawn School Planning Area as with other areas across the country, under review.