Dáil Éireann Debate, Friday - 6 September 2019
269. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Education and Skills the bodies representing parents that are consulted by his Department on educational issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34894/19]
View answerThere are two parents' bodies that are consulted by the Minister for Education and Skills in relation to educational issues. These are:
The National Parents Council Post-Primary (NPCpp) is the representative organisation for parent associations in the post-primary sector. At post-primary level the Council acts as the umbrella organisation for the parents’ constituent bodies within the different sectors at post-primary, voluntary secondary, community and comprehensive, ETB and the fee-paying schools. The 4 constituent bodies are:
1. ETBsNPA - National Parents Association for ETB Schools,
2. PACCS - Parents' Associations of Community & Comprehensive Schools,
3. FCSSPA-The Federation of Secondary Schools Parents Associations is the representative body for parents with children in Catholic Voluntary Secondary schools in Ireland,
4. COMPASS - The National Association of Compass representing all parents who choose to educate their children in schools or colleges which promote a Protestant or a minority ethos.
To ensure effective communications and consistency in approach the Department works with the National Council rather than the constituent bodies.
The National Parents Council Primary (NPCp) was set up in 1985 as the representative organisation for parents of children attending primary school and plays an important role as a channel of communication between parents and the Department of Education and Skills. The principle objective of the NPCp is to contribute to the advancement of the early education and primary education of all children in order to improve and enrich the education of each child and to support the involvement of parents in all aspects of the education of their children.
The Department is committed to ensuring that the education system continues to be developed on a partnership basis, involving a full role for parents.
