School admissions and divestment
Deputy Mattie McGrath asked whether parental choice would remain central in school divestment policy and sought confirmation that it would outweigh ideology. The Minister said the Education (Admission to Schools) Bill deals with admissions rules, while divestment and patronage transfer are a separate process requiring agreement of all parties.
I appreciate that. I would like to ask about the Education (Admission to Schools) Bill 2016. The Taoiseach said on Tuesday that parental choice will be central to any school divestment policy. Can the Minister for Education and Skills confirm that this is also his policy? Can he confirm that the wishes of parents and guardians, rather than any political ideology, will be foremost when policy is being made in this area?
Comment on this
The Deputy is raising two different issues. The Education (Admission to Schools) Bill 2016, which is before the House, provides for rules governing what can and cannot be included in admissions policies. It bans waiting lists, certain restrictions and selectivity.
Comment on this
It provides that children with special needs must be accepted and it gives the National Council for Special Education the power to require that. That is the admissions policy that is before the House. We have indicated that there are amendments to be made, having been agreed in principle on Committee Stage. They have to be drafted and go through the Office of the Attorney General. That is what is now happening. The issue of divestment and transfer of patronage is a separate process. As we have indicated, the agreement of all parties is required to secure that. Under a new system that we are introducing, education and training boards will conduct local surveys of preschool parents to establish whether there is a desire for an alternative model of patronage. Where there is such a desire, we will sit down with the existing patrons to seek to work out a live transfer to a new patron.