Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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85. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if school places can be provided for a cohort of children (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25822/24]

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 school patrons.

It is the responsibility of the managerial authorities of all schools to implement an enrolment policy in accordance with the Education Act, 1998 and the Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018. My department’s main responsibility is to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all pupils seeking school places in that area.

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 school’s website.

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 department does not seek to intervene in the selection criterion that is applied by schools.

The Department has provided all schools with a template and FAQs to assist them in ensuring that their policies are compliant with the legislation which can be accessed at the following link: . The Department will communicate with the school and the patron to ensure that there is an understanding of the admission process that is compliance with the act.

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, there is a link provided below to the relevant phone numbers for the Education Welfare Officers who are part of TESS assigned to various areas around the country. .