School enrolment will be fairer with new plan – Minister

Education minister Ruairi Quinn today announced an overhaul of the enrolment policies in all schools in an attempt to end practices that discriminate against certain pupils.

Publishing a discussion document on admissions policy, Mr Quinn said that "central to this debate on enrolment is the need to ensure a fair and transparent system at all of our schools, which does not discriminate unfairly against students or parents".

The document, 'Discussion Paper on a Regulatory Framework for School Enrolment', contains suggestions on how to make the process of enrolling at either primary or second level schools more open, equitable and consistent.

Quinn said he wanted schools to stop discriminating in favour of the children of past pupils or children who have attended named feeder schools.

The department has also said that schools should not operate lengthy waiting lists because they disadvantage families who are new to an area.

- INDEPENDENT.IE REPORTERS