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For Written Answer on : 25/05/2021
Question Number(s): 349 Question Reference(s): 27979/21
Department: Education
Asked by: David Stanton T.D.
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QUESTION
To ask the Minister for Education if schools are required to inform parents and or guardians when notifying them that a child has been placed on a waiting list for admittance due to oversubscription, that a provision exists to request a review, in writing, by the board of management of the decision within 21 calendar days from the date of the original decision and furthermore, that a provision exists following the outcome of the review of the board of management that a further right exists to make an appeal to the Minister under section 29(1)(c)(i) of the Education Act 1998; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
REPLY
Under the provisions of the Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018, all schools are required to have drafted new admissions policies, which have been approved by the patron, following consultation with staff and parents of children who are attending the school. The newly revised school’s admissions policy is published on the schools website.
The act requires that a schools admission policy must state that where an applicant has been refused admission to the school, an applicant may request the board to review a decision to refuse admission and that a decision to refuse admission may be appealed in accordance with section 29 (1) (c) (i) or (ii).
The Department has also provided templates of draft admission policies to schools, in addition to FAQs to assist schools with their obligations under the act and the process of revising their school admission policies.
Notwithstanding the above legal obligations on schools, many schools do advise parents of the board of management review option and/or section 29 appeal option when an applicant has been refused admission to a school, and it would be best practice for all schools to do so.