asked the Minister for Education if she will clarify the position of the boards of management of community schools in relation to any decisions they might make as a direct result of cut-backs in funding.
Written Answers. - Community School Boards of Management.
20.
The powers and duties of the boards of management of community schools are set out in the deeds of trust. The First and Second Schedule to the Model Deed of Trust provide, inter alia, that:
"The Board shall be responsible for the government and direction of the school...
"The Minister shall establish and maintain a School Fund to enable the Board to make necessary payments and receive income for the purposes prescribed by the Minister. The School fund shall be administered by the Board for the purposes prescribed by the Minister in accordance with regulations of the Minister in force from time to time".
"The Board shall not exceed the amount approved by the Minister under any head of the estimates for any year without the previous consent of the Minister".
In exercising their duties and responsibilities under the deed of trust boards of management of community schools must however have regard to current Government policy on public expenditure generally and to the levels of staffing and funding provided for their individual schools. The legal position of the Boards is not altered by any variations in the funds provided.