Vol. 547 No. 1
1298 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Education and Science when a reply will issue to a complaint forwarded to him by persons (details supplied) in County Wexford; the action he proposes to take on foot of this complaint; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2360/02]
A reply to the letter referred to by the Deputy was issued from my office on 25 January 2002.
In response to the letter, I have advised the parents that secondary schools are privately owned and managed institutions and that complaints are the responsibility of the managerial authorities of the individual schools. Complaints should be addressed, in the first instance, to the secretary of the board of management of the school in question.
In exceptional cases, where issues remain unresolved and all local avenues of appeal have been exhausted, my Department may, on receipt of written authorisation of a pupil's parents, refer a complaint received, to the schools management authority concerned, for its observations. Following consideration of the school's response, the case may be referred to my Department's Inspectorate for the purpose of making local inquiries. The outcome of my Department's investigations, when complete, is communicated to the parents.
Question No. 1299 answered with Question No. 1219.
