Call to keep enrolment appeals independent

A system for parents to independently appeal schools’ refusal of children for enrolment should be kept in any new Government rules on admission, TDs and senators have recommended.

Their report on Education Minister Ruairi Quinn’s draft outline of a bill to allow him regulate school admissions backed the view of most groups and individuals who gave evidence to the Oireachtas education committee.

The draft scheme of the Education (Admission to Schools) Bill, published by Mr Quinn six months ago, proposed to replace the current system in which a committee appointed by the Department of Education can hear appeals against schools that turn down an application to enrol a child. Instead, it suggested the initial decision be one for the school principal, with appeals only to go as far as the school board.