Vol. 577 No. 3
55 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Education and Science if he knows that more than 100 secondary schools still have no boards of management despite the requirement of the Education Act 1998; the steps being taken to ensure that all schools comply with the requirement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30933/03]
The Education Act 1998 places a duty on the patron of a school to appoint a board of management. The Act qualifies this by requiring the patron, in the event that the appointment of a board is not practicable, to inform the parents, teachers and the Minister of the reasons for this.
Recently my Department wrote to the patrons of 110 second level schools whose annual return indicated that they did not have boards of management. To date 67 of them have responded and 61 stated that boards of management are in place. A response is still awaited from the patrons of the remaining 39 schools. My Department will continue to communicate with the patrons of those schools to establish their position and to take any necessary follow-up action.
Question No. 56 answered with Question No. 52.
