An Equality Officer found that Bord of Management of a Primary School discriminated against a child with a disability by refusing to consider his enrolment application, and ordered it to pay €6,348 compensation. Marian Duffy dated the decision 12 July 2012.
The parent sought a place for her son after he was bullied at his previous school. The principal said it would not be wise or beneficial to enrol him, citing his expected support needs and the school’s resources. The school said its classes were full and it could not accommodate him if he needed a special needs assistant.
Duffy found the principal refused to consider the application because of the child’s disability, without consulting his parents or investigating his needs. The school was also ordered to amend its enrolment policy so applications for children with disabilities receive appropriate consideration.