Department to inspect pregnancy ban school

The Department of Education is about to conduct a second inspection at a Tipperary secondary school which refused to enrol a teenager because she was pregnant.

The founder, owner and manager of St Joseph’s College in Borrisoleigh had told Children’s Ombudsman Emily Logan’s investigation the school “is NOT a haven for young pregnant people or for young mothers”, when she began investigating the young woman’s complaint.

She was twice refused enrolment at the school, once after it learned she was pregnant and again after the birth of her child. On both occasions, the girl said she was first given indications she was going to be accepted.