Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the witnesses and join in congratulating Dr. Muldoon on his appointment as Ombudsman for Children.

There is undoubtedly an issue regarding oversight of our school system and the mechanisms for appeal and redress that are available to those who are unhappy with the decisions of boards of management. It is certainly long past time - Dr. Muldoon referred to this in his comments - that systems were put in place at Department level to deal with that.

I would be interested in hearing Dr. Muldoon's response to the suggestion put forward by Deputy Daly on the need for a specific education ombudsman. What does he believe might be the differences between the role of the proposed education ombudsman and that of the Ombudsman for Children? Would Dr. Muldoon welcome the powers in his own office? Does he feel his own office would have the capacity to deal with what Deputy Daly is proposing?

The Department of Education and Skills, as the paymaster and the body which sets policy and, in theory, runs the education system, must actually put in place appropriate appeals mechanisms for those who are unhappy with decisions that boards of management or schools might make. Ultimately, an ombudsman is the final recourse after appropriate appeals have been made, and should certainly not be the first recourse. There are definitely levels missing from the process at the moment. The Department of Education and Skills needs to embrace this. Currently the choice is either to go to Dr. Muldoon, who can comment on matters but does not have binding powers, or to go to the courts. I do not think that is an acceptable recourse for ordinary parents who have their kids' education and interests at heart. I would be interesting in hearing Dr. Muldoon's feedback on what needs to happen at the Department and on Deputy Daly's proposal.