Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 21 Feb 2002

Vol. 549 No. 2

Written Answers. - Student Records.

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

184 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Science the rules, standards or requirements set down by his Department or other statutory education authorities governing the length of time a publicly funded third level institution must retain student records; whether it is in breach of any of these or of the Freedom of Information Act, 1997, to destroy such records after 12 months has passed since a student has graduated from the college; the path open to a former student who wishes to obtain such records; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6263/02]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods)

Neither my Department nor any other statutory education authority has set out requirements governing the length of time that publicly funded third level institutions must retain student records. It is a matter for each individual institution to establish its own guidelines and procedures relating to the retention of records.

Last October, the Freedom of Information Act, 1997, was extended to apply to the majority of publicly funded third level institutions. While that Act does not specifically address the length of time for which records should be retained, section 15 requires public bodies to prepare and publish a reference book containing a general description of the classes of records held by it. The reference book should also give particulars, which would enable an individual to obtain access to records held by the body. Section 16 requires public bodies to publish the rules, procedures, practices, guidelines and interpretations used by the body in making decisions, determinations or recommendations. Under section 18 of the Act, it is open to a person affected by an act of a public body, to seek a statement from the body of the reasons for the decision.