Schools who refuse foreign students could face stiff fines
The Equality Authority has warned schools that they face fines if they refuse to enrol foreign students.
Primary and secondary schools could be forced to pay over €6,000 compensation if they discriminate against children on the grounds of race.
The authority is currently investigating 45 complaints of discrimination in schools, but the majority involve traveller children or children with disabilities.
"The Irish Primary Principals Network has identified anecdotal evidence that people are being refused admission or being deflected from admission into primary schools because they are from new communities or their ethnic origin, said chief executive of the Equality Authority, Niall Crowley.
"That is a form of discrimination and a form of discrimination that's forbidden under the Equal Status Act."
