Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 22 Apr 1998

Vol. 489 No. 7

Written Answers. - Complaints Against Teachers.

Michael Ring

Question:

206 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Education and Science the disciplinary action, if any, taken against a teacher by a board of management of a school (details supplied) in County Mayo following a complaint by the parents of a child (details supplied); and if a copy of the disciplinary action report could be forwarded to Deputy Ring under separate cover. [9634/98]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin)

The position regarding complaints is that my Department investigates specific complaints that involve an alleged breach of the rules for national schools, but only after every effort has been made to resolve the matter at local level.

The complaint referred to by the Deputy alleged mistreatment of the complainant's daughter by a teacher. On concluding its investigation my Department conveyed the outcome of the investigation to the board of management of the school. A letter issued to the complainant indicated that the Department's investigation had been concluded and that the board of management had been informed of the Department's findings.

I emphasise that the board of management is the body charged with the direct governance of the school and is the employer of the teachers in the school.

The complaints procedure does not provide for disclosure to the complainant of what action, if any, is taken against a teacher and I am not in a position to provide a separate report to the Deputy.

A review of these procedures is being carried out in consultation with the education partners. The main focus of these discussions will be to agree a procedure for the resolution of complaints at local school level and to ensure that all parties to a complaint are kept fully informed of the manner in which the complaint is being dealt with.