Government approval for admissions to schools Bill a great step forward

Senator Mary Moran, Labour spokesperson on Education in the Seanad, has welcomed Government approval of the Education (Admissions to Schools) Bill 2014. This new legislation aims to ensure that the enrolment process in all primary and post-primary schools is inclusive, transparent and fair.

“Parents all over the country should be very happy with this announcement as this legislation will ensure that enrolment criteria will be consistent, fair and possibly for parents the most important thing, transparent. About 20% of schools in the country are over-subscribed and it is particularly in the case of these schools that the Admissions to Schools Bill will be of particular importance.

“As a member of the Joint Committee on Education and Social Protection, I was part of the process where the submissions of parents and education partners, among others, were heard. The recommendations from the Committee will be considered further in the context of the drafting of the Bill.

“Among the provisions in the new Bill, will be a requirement for all schools to make an explicit statement in their admissions policy that they will not discriminate against an applicant for admission on the grounds of disability, special education needs, sexual orientation, family status, membership of the traveller community or race.

“I am particularly pleased that the Bill will also deal with children with Special Education needs and children for whom no school is available. The National Council for Special Education and the Child and Family Agency will be enabled to designate a place for these children if the need arises.”