School Management.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 March 2004

Tuesday, 9 March 2004

Questions (157)

Jan O'Sullivan

Question:

244 Ms O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Science if elected parents’ representatives on boards of management of national schools cannot be considered for the position of chairperson of a board; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7491/04]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. N. Dempsey)

Section 14 of the Education Act 1998 places upon the patron of a school the duty to appoint a board of management. Once a board of management is formally appointed the patron shall appoint one of its members as chairperson of the board. My Department, following consultation and agreement with the partners in education, has recently revised the handbook, Constitution of Boards and Rules and Procedures, which clearly outlines the procedures for the nomination and election of boards of management of national schools. Neither the Education Act nor the rules and procedures for boards of management prevent a patron from appointing an elected parent representative as chairperson of a board.