Helen Keogh
Question:204 Ms Keogh asked the Minister for Education whether she intends to give the national parents' council recognition as a statutory body.
Written Answers. - Status of National Parents' Council.
My Department consults extensively with the national parents' council at primary and post-primary level on all aspects of educational policy. Both are voluntary associations. I consider that they function effectively as such and I do not propose to change their status.
The important role of parents in the education process is stressed in the Programme for Competitiveness and Work, the Programme for a Partnership Government and in the Green Paper, Education for a Changing World. This role will be reflected in the relevant provisions of the following White Paper and the subsequent Education Act.