10 Oct 2013, 15:39
The Oireachtas Joint Committee on Education and Social Protection has today issued an invitation to interested individuals and groups to have their say on proposed legislation on schools admissions.
10 October 2013
The Draft General Scheme of an Education (Admission to Schools) Bill 2013 was published by Minister for Education and Skills Ruairi Quinn TD in September. The Bill sets out to regulate the admission of children to primary and post-primary schools, to ensure a fair and transparent enrolment process.
The Minister referred the draft General Scheme and the draft regulations to the Joint Committee, with a view to seeking input from key stakeholders on the proposals.
Launching the public consultation this morning, Joanna Tuffy TD, Chair of the Committee said: “This important piece of legislation sets out to regulate the admission of children to primary and post-primary schools, with the overarching goal of ensuring fair, consistent and transparent schools admissions processes. As well as seeking to curb the practice of cherry-picking students, the legislation also proposes to ban non-fee paying schools from seeking deposits or payments to secure places.
\"As legislators with the responsibility in this area, it is important that we engage with parents and education partners on the potential merits and flaws within the legislation. The Committee may decide to invite one or more individuals or groups to a public hearing to discuss particular submissions in detail. On foot of this public process, the Committee will publish a report on the legislation, and the issues raised in the report may also be relevant in the context of the future consideration of the Bill by the Dáil and Seanad.\"
The General Scheme is available via the Department of Education and Skills website.
The closing date for receipt of submissions is Thursday 31 October (at 3 pm). View more details on the submissions process and make a submission.
Committee Membership
Deputy Joanna Tuffy - Chair
Deputies James Bannon, Ray Butler, Joan Collins, Clare Daly, Brendan Griffin , Jim Daly, Derek Keating, Charlie McConalogue, Nicky McFadden, Jonathan O’Brien, Willie O’Dea, Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, Aengus Ó Snodaigh, Brendan Ryan
Senators Terry Brennan, Jim D'Arcy, Marie Moloney, Mary Moran, Marie-Louise O’Donnell, Averil Power