Austin Currie
Ceist:63 Mr. Currie asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will commence the maintenance of records relating to school attendance, suspension and expulsion. [25875/98]
Written Answers - School Discipline.
Breeda Moynihan-Cronin
Ceist:89 Mrs. B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Education and Science the proposals, if any, he has to ensure that children under the age of 15 expelled from school, without alternative provision being made for their education or who are the subject of roll over suspensions, will be provided with an appropriate education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25846/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 63 and 89 together.
My Department, through its guidelines on school discipline, lays considerable stress on the fact that suspensions and expulsions should only be used as a last resort.
Under the Rules for National Schools, no pupil shall be struck off the rolls for breaches of discipline without the prior consent of the patron and unless alternative arrangements are made for the enrolment of the pupil at another suitable school.
My Department provides assistance in securing placement in individual cases. Typically, this can arise where a pupil has been suspended as a result of disruptive behaviour and where alternative arrangements need to be made. In these circumstances, my Department endeavours through a process of consultation with the schools and through the inspectorate to assist in the reinstatement of the pupil in the school. If this is not possible, every effort is made to arrange an alternative placement.
In more difficult situations, my Department's psychological service is available to assess pupils in order to determine the nature and extent of any special needs which might exist, with a view to having them addressed in the most appropriate manner.
However, I can assure the Deputy I am not satisfied with present arrangements in relation to school attendance. Under new legislation, which is being drafted, I will be bringing forward a comprehensive range of measures to address this area. Among my key objectives is the establishment of a single national authority with responsibility for school attendance on a country-wide basis. The legislation will also include specific measures for the early identification and support of children who have dropped out or are at risk of dropping out of the school system.
The recently launched early school leavers initiative is targeted on eight to 15 year olds in areas of serious disadvantage. Under this initiative, models of response to the problem of early school leaving will be tested in 14 selected areas over the next two years. The objective is to identify effective approaches which can be given wider application in the effort to combat the problem of early school leaving.