Dáil Éireann

Dáil Éireann

Vol. 900 Wednesday, No. 1 9 December 2015 DÍOSPÓIREACHTAÍ PARLAIMINTE PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES DÁIL ÉIREANN TUAIRISC OIFIGIÚIL—Neamhcheartaithe (OFFICIAL REPORT—Unrevised) Insert Date Here 09/12/2015A00100Ceisteanna - Questions � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 2 09/12/2015A00200Priority Questions� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 2 09/12/2015A00250School Enrolments � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 2 09/12/2015B00150School Patronage � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 4 09/12/2015B01050Teachers’ Remuneration � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 7 09/12/2015C00500Childhood Obesity � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 8 09/12/2015D00300Special Educational Needs Staff � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 11 09/12/2015D01050Other Questions � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 12 09/12/2015D01100School Accommodation Provision � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 12 09/12/2015E01650School Accommodation Provision � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 14 09/12/2015F00450Special Educational Needs Service Provision � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 16 09/12/2015F01550Special Educational Needs Service Provision � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 18 09/12/2015G00600Third Level Funding � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 19 09/12/2015H01500State Examinations Reviews � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 21 09/12/2015J00100Legal Services Regulation Bill 2011: From the Seanad� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 23 09/12/2015Q00250Topical Issue Matters � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 37 09/12/2015Q00350Leaders’ Questions � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 38 09/12/2015T00200Order of Business � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 47 09/12/2015V05600Land and Conveyancing Law Reform Bill 2015: First Stage � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 55 Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) (Amendment) Bill 2015: First Stage � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 57 09/12/2015W00900Suicide Prevention Authority Bill 2015: First Stage � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 59 09/12/2015X00850Estimates for Public Services 2015 � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 60 09/12/2015AA00100Topical Issue Debate � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 67 09/12/2015AA00125Energy Resources � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 67 09/12/2015DD00150Community Development Projects � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 69 09/12/2015EE00300Northern Ireland Issues � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 72 09/12/2015FF00350Farm Partnerships� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 75 09/12/2015GG00400Legal Services Regulation Bill 2011: From the Seanad (Resumed) � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 77 09/12/2015SS00100Establishment of Independent Anti-Corruption Agency: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] � � � � � � � � � 195 Message from Select Committee � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 220 09/12/2015BBB00500Estimates for Public Services 2015: Message from Select Committee � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 220 DÁIL ÉIREANN Dé Céadaoin, 9 Nollaig 2015 Wednesday, 9 December 2015 Chuaigh an Leas-Cheann Comhairle i gceannas ar 9�30 a�m� Paidir. Prayer. 09/12/2015A00100Ceisteanna - Questions 09/12/2015A00200Priority Questions 09/12/2015A00250School Enrolments 09/12/2015A003001� Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills the discus- sions she has had in relation to the inclusion of provisions excluding denominational schools from using a child’s religion in selection criteria for school admissions in the forthcoming Edu- cation (Admission to Schools) Bill; and if she will make a statement on the matter� [44117/15] 09/12/2015A00400Deputy Charlie McConalogue: The question seeks an update from the Minister on the discussions she has had with her coalition partners on the need for a change to the current situ- ation with regard to school admissions policy, particularly the criterion of religion� I note from the coverage in today’s newspapers that the Minister intends to drop the Education (Admission to Schools) Bill and not to implement it before the election� I hope she will give a clear update on her position in that regard� 09/12/2015A00500Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Jan O’Sullivan): Under the Equal Status Act, schools are not permitted to discriminate in admission on any of the grounds set out in the Act� However, the Act contains an exemption which permits schools in which the objective is to provide education that promotes certain religious values to admit a student of a particular religion in preference to others� The Deputy will be aware of the many positive elements of the admissions Bill, which will put an end to the charging of fees to parents who apply for a school place, tear down the soft barriers erected in front of some children with special needs, and bring openness and transpar- ency to all school admissions� 2 9 December 2015 The issue of the need to amend the Equal Status Act was not a feature of the consultation paper published in advance of the Education (Admission to Schools) Bill� When the Oireach- tas committee considered this matter, it simply noted that “there is a potential tension between Articles 42 (Education) and 44 (Religion) of Bunreacht na hÉireann, and this poses a particular difficulty when legislating in this policy area.” No amendment to the Equal Status Act has been included in the published Bill� I have subsequently made clear my view that this is a matter that does need to be reviewed and addressed, and it will need to be a priority for the next Government so that it can be dealt with in advance of the next school year� 09/12/2015A00600Deputy Charlie McConalogue: I find it objectionable that we can read in today’s news- papers a clearer explanation from the Minister as to the current status of the school admissions Bill than she has outlined in her reply to my question. Could she confirm whether it is her intention not to proceed with the Bill and instead to kick it to touch until after the next general election, as per her comments across a number of newspapers this morning? Could the Minister also outline the reason for that? Considerable effort has been put in by Members across the House and at committee level, with wide consultation across the education system on the Bill for the past three years� Ample time was available for the Bill to be introduced in the House, yet under the previous Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Ruairí Quinn, and now under the tenure of the current Minister, Deputy Jan O’Sullivan, all we have seen is delay after delay and the issue is being kicked to touch� Now it would appear that the Minister has no intention whatsoever of introducing the Bill into the Dáil before it is dissolved� Could the Minister please bring clarity to this? 09/12/2015A00700Deputy Jan O’Sullivan: The Bill was published just before the summer, in April� I would like to have had time in the Dáil and Seanad to bring it through the Houses of the Oireachtas� I am not kicking the Bill to touch; if it can still be done, I will do it, but I am being realistic in terms of the Oireachtas calendar, in so far as we only have one more sitting week this year in the Dáil� We will only be back for a matter of weeks rather than any longer period after the Christ- mas break� I do not know when the election will be called but, realistically, I do not think we will have time to debate the many issues involved and to get such a complex piece of legislation through Committee and Report Stages in both Houses of the Oireachtas� I was being realistic about the Oireachtas calendar in a speech I made

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