Vol. 514 No. 2
129 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science if the Freedom of Information Act, 1997, will be extended to schools; and if it will include records of markings at interview boards selecting candidates for promotion. [3797/00]
As regards access to information held by schools, the Education Act 1998, already has provisions, which when implemented in full, should ensure that schools are transparent in their operation and accountable to their local community.
Under section 7 of the Act, one of my functions as Minister for Education and Science is to publish information relating to the monitoring and assessment of the quality, economy, efficiency and effectiveness of the education system provided in the State by recognised schools. Section 9 of the Act provides, inter alia, that parents of students, or in the case of a student of 18 years or over, the student themselves, have a right to access to all records relating to the progress of their child in school. Section 21 provides for each school to draw up a school plan, and section 21 provides for the school to report to the parents of students on the operation of the school. Boards may further report to parents on progress towards goals set out in the school plan.
In relation to the records of interview boards, the Education Act provides for a partnership approach in the development of procedures for the appointment of staff. Section 24 of the Act provides for the Minister to agree procedures with the school patron, recognised school management organisations and any recognised trade union or staff associations representing teachers, as appropriate, for the appointment of staff. I would prefer to give these partners in education an opportunity to develop appropriate procedures, which could include access to marks at interview, rather than to achieve this result by unilaterally applying the Freedom of Information Act.
Given the provisions of the Education Act, I am of the view that adequate alternative statutory arrangements are now in place regarding access to information held in schools and it is not my intention, at this time, to seek the extension of the Freedom of Information Act to schools. However, this situation will be kept under review by my Department, especially since the implementation of the Education Act at school level is still at a very early stage.
