Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 17 Jun 1999

Vol. 506 No. 4

Written Answers. - Boards of Management.

Michael D. Higgins

Question:

34 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Science the consultations and considerations, if any, he had before arriving at his decision to suspend the board of management at the Holy Trinity School, Mervue, Galway. [15106/99]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin)

It may be useful for the Deputy if I set out the definitions of the role of patrons and of boards of management or managers of national schools.

The patron is the person or body of persons recognised as such by the Minister for Education and Science. The patron may manage the school personally or may nominate a suitable person or body of persons to act as manager. Subject to the approval of the Minister, the patron may at any time resume the direct management of the school or may nominate another manager.

The board of management or manager is the body of persons or the person nominated by the

patron and recognised by the Minister. The board or manager is charged with the direct governance of the school.

In this case, I received correspondence from Most Reverend James McLoughlin, Bishop of Galway and Patron of the Holy Trinity School, Mervue on 25 March. This correspondence outlined the background to this matter and proposed the appointment of a single manager of the school. Having considered the proposal, officials of my Department conveyed my approval to the patron on 26 April in accordance with the rules for national schools.