Brian Hayes (Fine Gael)

The Leader may be aware the Government recently established a task force on student behaviour. I understand the task force is due to produce a report in June before its final report in the autumn. Teacher unions have raised the issue of school discipline and student behaviour in view of the small number of violent attacks on teachers and students in the classroom and the low-level disruption evident in some schools. In this context, will the Leader organise a debate to be attended by the Minister for Education and Science for a consideration of this issue?

Today's edition of The Irish Times covers a report from the National Educational Welfare Board which expresses concern about children who are expelled. This is an issue that concerns us all. However, I am more concerned about the vast majority of students and teachers who want to work and study in a safe and peaceful environment. We must speak up for those students and for the teachers who have a difficult job to do. I only recently became aware that under the Education Act 1998, parents now have a right of ultimate appeal to the Department of Education and Science if they disagree with the expulsion of their child. Schools should have autonomy in this area to decide whether it is safe and proper that a particular pupil should remain in attendance. I am opposed to the notion that the Department can act as a final arbiter in such matters.

We must be clear in our response to bad behaviour. The main losers are students who work hard in difficult environments. We must stand up for them and for teachers who are doing a difficult job. There is no doubt we must put in place many different alternatives for children who cannot attend school for whatever reason but we must focus on those students and teachers who study and work hard. They deserve our full support.