Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour) | Oireachtas source

All I can say is that since the foundation of the State, and even going back before then, a partnership has existed between the State and school providers and educators. The Department at national level does not micro-manage individual schools. We have endorsed the role of the National Parents Council at primary and post-primary levels.

With all due respect I am not passing the buck but that is the body to which those aggrieved parents should write in the first instance. It is understandable why the people wrote to Deputy O'Brien. I presume they were his constituents. I have met the National Parents Council at primary and post-primary levels and I will certainly take up the issue with them. However, ultimately, all I can do is make a recommendation. It will be for the boards of management, on which the parents are represented, finally to decide.

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