This seminar will explore the following: 

• What does the new Act change and what remains? What are the purposes and aspirations of the 2018 Act? What sections are already commenced and what is coming?
• Provisions of the Act: Schools must enrol pupils unless over-subscribed or parents have not confirmed in writing that the school's code of behaviour is acceptable to them
• Admission Policy and Admission Statement; Duties of the Principal in implementation of admissions; Siblings rule remains
• The place of religion in school admission criteria
• Designation of a school by NCSE or CFA; Minister's power to direct a school regarding additional accommodation for pupils with special educational needs
• Phasing out of long-term waiting lists; Prohibition on fees and charges as condition of enrolment
• Amended appeals process if a pupil is expelled, suspended or refused admission.

Facilitator: Mairéad O’Flynn

Mairéad is former principal of Scoil Mhuire NS, Ballymore Eustace, Co Kildare where she was principal for 24 years. She is a practising barrister in the area of civil law and her areas of interest are Data Protection, child law advocacy and education law. Mairéad completed the Advanced Diploma in Data Protection Law at the King's Inns, Dublin. She participates as a "Cara" on the CSL Mentoring programme and is a member of the IPPN Board of Directors.