Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 16 May 2001

Vol. 536 No. 3

Written Answers - Departmental Circulars.

Michael Creed

Question:

245 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Education and Science the purpose of circular 43/00; if it is in compliance with section 23(4) of the Education Act, 1998; the reason other principals in secondary schools are exempted from its contents; if his Department has considered the likelihood that arising from this circular, selection boards may have no staff or board of management member when considering candidates for promotional posts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14211/01]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods)

Circular 43/00 sets out revised procedures for the appointment and promotion of teachers in vocational schools, which were agreed following consultation with management and teacher representatives. It is intended that these procedures will be reviewed before the end of the 2001/02 school year. Having considered section 23(4) of the Education Act, 1998 and the terms of the circular, I am satisfied that there is no conflict with the Education Act.

Michael Creed

Question:

246 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Education and Science if his Department's monitors compliance with the Department circular regarding use of the career guidance allocation to schools; if his attention has been drawn to the audit conducted on this matter, published in the spring issue of the National Centre for Guidance in Education News; and his views on this level of non-compliance. [14212/01]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods)

The authorities of second level schools are expected to comply with the terms of circulars issued by my Department in relation to the use of resources provided in respect of guidance.

I am aware of the results of an audit of all second level schools, conducted on behalf of my Department by the National Centre for Guidance in Education. It is clear from the audit that a significant number of schools are not fully utilising the resources currently being made available to them by my Department for guidance and that, in many schools, the service is not adequately targeted at pupils at risk.

My priority is to ensure that those young people who are most at risk of dropping out of education early are a major focus of guidance provision in schools. As a result, any future enhancement of provision to individual schools will be conditional on their making a commitment to providing a service to all their pupils which would reflect both Government priorities and their pupils' needs.