Helen Keogh
Question:79 Ms Keogh asked the Minister for Education her views on the correct interpretation of the arrangements whereby senior members of the clergy have a say in the appointment and removal of chaplains in community schools in view of the fact that clause 10 (x) of the printed standard-form Instrument of Management for these schools states that the school's board of management would appoint a chaplain nominated by the competent religious authority and no express power is given to that authority either to withdraw his nomination or to dismiss a chaplain whom he has nominated; her further views on whether guidelines issued by her Department on 2 June 1976, which state inter alia that the chaplain will be a permanent full-time member of the staff, he shall be a priest nominated by the local bishop and shall remain a member of the staff until the bishop withdraws his nomination are ambiguous; if it was or is her intention to confer on the nominating religious authority the power to dismiss a chaplain by withdrawing a nomination, northwithstanding the wishes and preferences of the school's board of management; and if it was her intention to leave it ultimately to the boards of management as to whether the school chaplain should remain on the staff of the school. [3601/95]
