Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 13 May 1997

Vol. 479 No. 2

Written Answers. - Appeals System.

Helen Keogh

Question:

208 Ms Keogh asked the Minister for Education if she will change her proposal in the Education Bill for an appeals board in order to allow for the appointment of a teacher representative on the board; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12647/97]

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

Unlike most of the structures which it is proposed to establish under the Education Bill, 1997, there is no requirement that the appeals committee be representative of the partners in education. Such a requirement, in my view, would run counter to the primary aim of the appeals system that not only should it be fair and objective but that it should be seen by students, parents teachers and boards of management to be fair and objective. For that reason. I do not propose to amend the Education Bill to provide for a representative of teachers on the appeals committee, any more than I propose to provide for a representative of partents or patrons on the committee.

In considering the composition of the appeals committee it should be borne in mind that the Bill provides for equal representation of all the partners in education on the education boards themselves, including, of course, teachers in schools in the education region.

Deputy Keogh should also note that I have proposed an amendment to the Bill, No. 286 in the published list of amendments, which provides that the Minister, in prescribing the criteria for appeals at board of management level and at education board level, must consult with the patrons of schools, national associations of parents, and recognised trade unions and staff associations representing teachers.

This will give all the partners a central involvement in determining the appeals structures at what I consider to be the more appropriate policy level.

While this is my considered view of what is appropriate in the interests of students, parents and schools, I am, of course, prepared to consider carefully any arguments Deputy Keogh may wish to put forward as the Bill is debated by Dáil Éireann.