Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 31 January 2007
1590 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of primary school and second level pupils who have been suspended from their respective schools for each of the years 2002 to 2006 and to date in 2007. [1734/07]
Amharc ar fhreagra1591 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the average number of days that students attending primary school and second level school have been suspended for in each of the years 2002 to 2006. [1735/07]
Amharc ar fhreagra1667 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason information promised by way of Parliamentary Question Nos. 498 and 499 of 5 December 2006 has not been provided; when said information is expected to be available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2243/07]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1590, 1591 and 1667 together.
The Education (Welfare) Act, 2000 established the National Educational Welfare Board (NEWB) as the single national body with responsibility for school attendance. The Act provides a comprehensive framework promoting regular school attendance and tackling the problems of absenteeism and early school leaving. The general functions of the Board are to ensure that each child attends a recognised school or otherwise receives a certain minimum education.
In January 2005, the National Educational Welfare Board (NEWB) issued guidelines to the management authorities of all primary and post primary schools on reporting student absences, suspensions and expulsions. These guidelines advise that a school must report to the NEWB where a decision has been taken to expel a student. Schools are also required to periodically report to the NEWB on student absences. Suspension is one of seven possible categories of absence which are reported on.
As regards the specific data requested by the Deputy on the matter of suspensions, the total data requested is not available at present. The most recent data available refers to the school year 2004/05. This was also the first year that suspensions data was recorded.
The NEWB has informed my Department that analysis of the 2005/06 data, is currently ongoing. On completion of this analysis the information will be collated to provide the data requested by the Deputy. As an interim measure and in response to the question tabled on 5th December I will arrange for a reply to issue to you with the available data. On the remaining data I will reply directly to the Deputy when that data is to hand.
