Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Before I respond to Senator Ruane, I am advised that I should say there may be further technical or proofing amendments required to the Bill after our discussion on Committee Stage and I intend to introduce them on Report Stage.

On amendment No. 47, I am advised that there are already statutory codes in place.It is clear that there are already statutory codes. Section 23 of the Education Welfare Act 2000 requires schools to develop a code of behaviour in accordance with statutory guidelines. A school's code of behaviour must set out the procedures to be followed in the school before a student may be suspended or expelled from the school concerned. The National Educational Welfare Board, now the educational welfare service of Tusla, has published statutory guidelines for schools on developing a code of behaviour. These statutory guidelines provide guidance for schools on supporting student behaviour and the procedures to be followed in relation to suspension and expulsion. As the arrangements to be followed by a school in relation to expulsion and suspension are already provided for in other legislation and in statutory guidelines I do not propose to accept the amendment.