Vol. 442 No. 8
114 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Education the number of children who have been permanently suspended from school at primary school level in the Eastern Health Board area in counties Wicklow, Kildare and Dublin; and the number of those who were able to get places in school subsequently to their being suspended.
I am not in a position to provide the details on suspension sought by the Deputy. This is because ultimate responsibility for all matters relating to discipline in primary schools rests with the boards of management and they are not required to provide my Department with information regarding suspension of pupils. The position under Rule 130 (6) of the Rules for National Schools is that no pupil shall be struck off the rolls for breaches of discipline without the prior consent of the school patron and then only where alternative arrangements are made for the enrolment of the pupil at another suitable school.
