AQW 3757/10

Mrs Naomi Long
Alliance Party
East Belfast

Tabled Date: 11/01/2010
Answered On Date: 19/01/2010
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Education, pursuant to AQW 8743/09, which states that in relation to the over-arching legal criteria for admissions to nursery schools "responsibility for drawing up these criteria rests entirely with the Board of Governors of each school", to confirm whether the over-arching criteria are set by the Department and whether Boards of Governors only have control over the setting of sub-criteria.

Answer:

Cuireann an Roinn Oideachais ceanglas i bhfeidhm ar thosaíocht a thabhairt do pháistí ó chúlraí faoi mhíbhuntáiste sóisialta (a bhfaigheann a dtuismitheoirí Sochair Shlándála Sóisialaí áirithe) agus dóibh siúd a bhfuil breithlá i mí Iúil/ Lúnasa acu. Caithfear cloí leo agus chomh luath agus a shásaítear an ceanglas sin, tá critéar breise le haghaidh iontrála de dhualgas ar gach naíscoil aonair agus léireoidh sé príomhthosaíochta an Bhoird Ghobharnóirí le haghaidh iontrála ina scoil/ naíolann.

DE sets a requirement to give priority to children from socially disadvantaged backgrounds (whose parents are in receipt of certain social security benefits) and those with July/August birthdays. This must be adhered to and once this requirement is satisfied, additional criteria for admission are the responsibility of each individual nursery school and will reflect the Board of Governors priorities for admissions to their school/playgroup.