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

I thank the Minister for her response. This issue has been poorly handled by the Department of Education and Skills from the outset. It appears as though it went about seeking this information without first clarifying and seeking authority from the Data Protection Commissioner in terms of assurances that what the Department was doing actually complied properly with the Acts. Is it correct that it is now the Department's intention to revise the circular it already has sent to schools in this regard? Yesterday, a solicitor and outspoken critic of the Department's approach, Mr. Simon McGarr, received a refusal to his FOI request on this issue because he was informed it is now the Department's intention to revise the circular it provided to schools as to how this issue could be dealt with. From the Minister's response today, am I to take it that those schools that are concerned their teacher numbers or funding may be cut because they cannot get full information from parents who are concerned about providing this information are well placed? Am I to take it that the funding and teacher numbers of those schools could be cut if parents continue to have concerns about providing this information? In addition, the Minister should clarify what information is essential and must be provided by parents for a school to be able to get the full funding and teacher numbers it requires.

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