Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 June 2024
324. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Education her plans to review Common Application Processes for secondary schools in areas where there is oversubscription like Dublin 15 and progress on any actions that can be implemented for enrolments in September 2025, including engagement with schools and education partners to better align timeframes and data-sharing arrangements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25304/24]
View answerThe Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018, is an important piece of legislation which has introduced a more parent-friendly, equitable and consistent approach to how school admissions policy operates for the almost 4,000 primary and post-primary schools.
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 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 not obtaining a place in the school of their first choice.
The act 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. The criteria to be applied by schools and the order of priority are a matter for the schools themselves.
In order to facilitate an efficient admission process for schools and applicants, the 2018 admission to school act allows schools to share information relating to the dates an application for admission was received and made by the school, including the date an offer was accepted by the applicant and data relating to a student’s identifying personal details (to ensure that it is the same person applying to both schools). It is open to schools concerned in a locality to agree and put in place arrangements for any sharing of information under the act, and for the admission of students. Good coordination between schools can help ensure that this is managed and worked through at the earliest possible stage of the annual enrolment process. The categorisation of applicants by each school in accordance with its enrolment policy also helps to provide clarity on the extent to which the enrolment pressure is driven by local demand or in some cases by applications from outside the immediate area served by the school.
My Department is committed to continuing to work with relevant school patrons and authorities to establish the true extent of school place requirements and any capacity issues. This close engagement will allow the Department to put any required solutions in place – beyond those which are already in train - to ensure sufficient school places to meet the needs of students in each area. Such solutions may include the use of existing spare capacity, sanctioning of works to existing accommodation, and the accelerated provision of modular accommodation. The Department will review the Common Application System in Limerick and Ennis to identify any learnings that may be of benefit in other areas.
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. It is important to note that if a child has been refused admission due to the school being oversubscribed, and a parent/guardian wishes to appeal this decision they must firstly make a written request to the school seeking a review of the board of management’s decision.
