Vol. 574 No. 2
176 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the fact that more than 100 secondary schools still have no boards of management despite the requirement of the Education Act 1998; the steps being taken to ensure that all schools comply with this requirement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26512/03]
Section 14 of the Education Act 1998 places a duty on the patron of a recognised school, for the purposes of ensuring that such a school is managed in a spirit of partnership, to appoint, where practicable, a board of management. Where a patron determines that the appointment of a board is not practicable, the Act provides that the patron shall inform the parents of students, the teachers and other staff of the school and the Minister of that fact and the reasons therefor. My Department will shortly be writing to the patrons of the schools which are still without boards requesting details of their individual circumstances.
