Jen Cummins
Ceist:384. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Education and Youth her views on a school (details supplied) being the only secondary school in Newbridge without a local selection criteria. [65469/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 25 November 2025
Ceisteanna (384)
Freagraí scríofa
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. Parents have the right to choose which school to apply to and where the school has places available for the relevant year, the 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 students not obtaining a place in the school of their first choice.
In accordance with the provisions of the Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018, schools are required to clearly set out their selection criteria in their admission policies. The criteria to be applied by schools and the order of priority are a matter for the schools themselves. 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 school’s admission policy.
Tusla Education Support Service (TESS) is the agency which can assist parents who are experiencing difficulty in securing a school place for their child. Educational Welfare Services (EWS) contact details are: tessinfo@tusla.ie or telephone: 01 7718815.