Vol. 548 No. 3
213 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the ongoing difficulties being experienced at Tinahely national school, County Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the way in which he envisages the problems of management and staffing being resolved. [5025/02]
I have been aware of the difficulties in Tinahely national school for some time, and it was for this reason that I approved the patron's request for the appointment of a single manager prior to the beginning of the 2000-01 school year.
The role of a single manager is analogous to that of a board of management in that that person is responsible for the direct governance of the school. In the circumstances, the difficulties referred to by the Deputy are essentially issues that need to be resolved at local level. Nevertheless, since his appointment, my officials have maintained close contact with the single manager with a view to providing assistance to him in carrying out his duties. However, in view of ongoing efforts at local level to attempt to resolve this matter, I do not consider that any public comment from me at this stage in relation to this issue would be appropriate.
