Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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375. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if there is any provision, or policy in place, for families in situations where a child’s eligibility for local secondary schools in a new area of residence is affected by having attended a primary school outside of the new area of residence, particularly when the decision to keep the child in the former primary school was made in the child’s best interests; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44105/24]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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In accordance with the provisions of the Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018, schools are required to clearly set out their selection criteria, for application in the event of oversubscription, in their admission policies. The criteria to be applied by schools and the order of priority are a matter for the schools themselves.

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. However, this may result in some pupils/student not obtaining a place in the school of their first choice. It is an important feature of the act that schools can only make a decision on an application for admission that is based on the schools admission policy.

Under Section 29 of the Education Act 1998, the parent of the student, or in the case of a student who has reached the age of 18 years, the student, may appeal a decision of this school to refuse admission. An appeal may be made under Section 29 (1)(c)(i) of the Education Act 1998 where the refusal to admit was due to the school being oversubscribed. An appeal may be made under Section 29 (1)(c)(ii) of the Education Act 1998 where the refusal to admit was due a reason other than the school being oversubscribed.

TUSLA’s Education Support Service (TESS) which is the statutory agency that can assist parents who are experiencing difficulty in securing a school place for their child. TESS can be contacted at 01-7718500. For ease of reference, I have provided you with a link to the relevant phone numbers for the Education Welfare Officers who are part of TESS assigned to various areas around the country. See www.tusla.ie/get-in-touch/local-area-office.