Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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Question 12: To ask the Minister for Education and Science her plans to implement the recommendations of the interim report on student behaviour; the timescale for implementation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27658/05]

Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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Question 54: To ask the Minister for Education and Science when the task force on discipline will make their final report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27537/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 12 and 54 together.

The task force on student behaviour will complete a final report, including recommendations, later this year. At the interim report stage, the task force decided to document the broad areas emerging and which have recurred with such frequency within its work to date and which in its opinion are representative of the central issues of concern. The task force anticipates that these will form the bedrock of its recommendations in its final report which is expected in December 2005.

In its interim report the task force recognises that the most important feature of its work is to generate a set of recommendations that will impact in a positive way and will help to curtail the spread of disruptive behaviour in our schools. Since the task force was established early this year, it has really come to grips with the breadth and complexity of this vitally important area. In tackling its job it has consulted widely and built upon submissions, research and its own analysis to sharply define the areas where its final report will make recommendations to underpin future change.

I am particularly impressed with the ability of the task force to focus on the core issues. It has indicated to me that it is on target to produce a final report and detailed recommendations in December of this year. Before producing that report it wishes to engage further with the wide range of interests in this area and to review domestic and international successes and failures. I am greatly encouraged by this interim report and I am very grateful to Dr. Maeve Martin. I look forward to receiving the final report and its recommendations.

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Does the Minister intend to implement the final report when it becomes available at the end of this year? Does she envisage implications for resources with regard to its implementation? The problem of particularly disruptive students has been identified in the interim report. There is a need to provide facilities for pupils who genuinely are unable to settle in regular schools.

I refer to a recent television programme about a school in County Waterford where children who had dropped out of schools were being catered for in an alternative programme which seemed to be working very well. I am aware of a small number of similar schools in other parts of the country which cater specifically for children who do not fit in to the regular school system. Does the Minister intend to expand the availability of such resources or does she envisage that the majority of children can be catered for within the regular post-primary school system?

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The great advantage of this report is that it has examined both the negative and the positive evidence in schools showing the manner in which schools manage disruptive behaviour. There are some excellent examples of good practice. I expect the final report will focus on issues such as school culture, the code of behaviour, the means by which students are given a voice, the sense of community and communication between the partners. Schools will require structures to deal with the wide range of students. The task force has examined domestic and international examples of how good student behaviour is fostered and examples of good classroom management.

A wide range of options must be considered and I look forward to the recommendations in that regard. I also suspect that there will be recommendations relating to very disruptive students, who are a very small minority but who are causing problems for some schools. The task force has indicated that it may recommend a type of break-out centre. I hope such a centre would not operate on a permanent basis but would be run with a view to ensuring that children can be reintegrated into school. I accept that not every school is suitable for every child and perhaps some training and youthreach programmes should be in place as alternatives for students. I look forward to the recommendations and I anticipate that there will be resource implications stemming from them. In so far as possible I will work with the partners to implement the recommendations because I believe they will cover not just what needs to be done from a resource point of view or in terms of national implementation, but also with regard to classroom management and so forth.

Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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In its interim report the task force noted that many schools are frustrated with section 29 of the Education Act and it has made some recommendations relating to that section pending publication of the full report. There is a genuine difficulty in schools in that they are being forced to accept for re-admission students whom they have expelled or who have been expelled from other schools for seriously disruptive behaviour. It is causing a difficulty within the system when students are seriously disruptive. If the task force recommends changes to section 29, will the Minister examine that option?

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Schools have indicated to me that they have a problem with section 29. However, it should be noted that of all the appeals lodged under section 29, two thirds are resolved in favour of the school and only one third in favour of the students. Schools seem to have the idea that the appeals system is always against them but in reality, that is not the case. I have already indicated that I would be prepared to amend section 29 or to deal with issues around it, perhaps on the procedures — whatever the task force recommends. Dr. Maeve Martin indicated in June that the task force would not look at section 29, but I asked her to do so because it had been highlighted to me as an issue. I am prepared to look at anything that will support the learning environment for students in a classroom and the teaching environment for teachers.