Quinn proposes legislation to ban school waiting lists

The Minister for Education Ruairi Quinn is today publishing legislation which he says will make the schools enrolment system fairer for children and parents.

It includes a ban on waiting lists and an end to the practice of seeking deposits from parents.

Mr Quinn said the proposed legislation and regulations will make the enrolment process fairer and more transparent.

The regulations propose that schools can only take names of prospective pupils 11 months before the start of the school year.

No admission fees can be charged by schools and they can no longer conduct interviews with parents and children ahead of enrolment

However, schools will be still allowed to prioritise places for an applicant who is a sibling of an existing or former student.

The new bill and regulations now go to the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Education to allow for a full public discussion.