Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 30 June 2004
114 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress made to date with regard to the revision of all legal instruments regarding comprehensive schools to provide for the inclusion of parent and teacher representatives on boards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19503/04]
View answerMy Department has been working for a number of years with all the interested parties on the inclusion of parent and teacher representatives on boards of management of comprehensive schools. Agreement has been reached on the revised composition of the boards with the production of three discrete models, one for the ten "Catholic" comprehensives, one for the five "Protestant" comprehensives and one for the single "Jesuit" comprehensive.
The work on the revision of the legal instruments in the case of the single "Jesuit" comprehensive has been completed and a new board, including parents and teacher, is established. With regard to the "Catholic" comprehensives substantial progress has been made on a revised text. I expect a new legal instrument will be ready next month for signature and that the way will then be cleared for the appointment of new boards. In the case of the "Protestant" comprehensives, a meeting between Church representatives and Department officials is being arranged for early next month, the purpose of which will be to resolve outstanding issues.
I am satisfied that all parties remain agreed on the inclusion of parents and teachers on the board and are committed to concluding the work on the legal instruments, which has proved somewhat more complex than first anticipated.
