Vol. 421 No. 6
57 Mr. Ryan asked the Minister for Education if he will outline the plans, if any, he has to ensure that a travelling parent is included on the board of management of primary schools catering for traveller children; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The present constitution of boards does not preclude the election of parents of travelling children to boards of management of primary schools. At present, boards of management are representative of the patron, parents and staff. Parent and staff representatives are elected democratically to boards in accordance with agreed procedures laid down for such elections.
As is outlined in the introduction to the Green Paper I consider that there should be a decisive shift of responsibility for the day-to-day administration of schools from the Department to local level and boards of management should be representative of the owners or trustees, the parents, the teachers, the school principal, and the local business community.
I am satisfied that this arrangement would provide adequate scope for democratic representation and I would not consider it appropriate to introduce quota representation for other selected groups.
