Barry Andrews (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Question 824: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if she will furnish Department guidelines for parent-teacher meetings in schools in the State. [10084/05]

Barry Andrews (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Question 934: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if she will provide guidelines for parent-teacher meetings for schools in the State. [10723/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 824 and 934 together.

In October 2004 my Department issued details to all primary and post-primary schools regarding arrangements for parent-teacher meetings for the school year 2004-05. These arrangements were agreed by the parties to the Teachers Conciliation Council on foot of proposals from the Teachers Arbitration Board. In post-primary schools in respect of three formal parent-teacher meetings per year, meetings will commence at 4.15 p.m. in all schools with each school closing 15 minutes earlier than normal and will conclude at 6.45 p.m. In accordance with good practice parents who are waiting at 6.45 p.m. will be seen if this can reasonably be done.

In the small number of cases, where a parent is unable to attend the formal meeting, current practice, whereby the parent is facilitated to meet a teacher he or she wishes to meet, will apply and a time mutually convenient will be agreed.

There will be one formal parent-teacher meeting held in each school year in primary schools. This meeting will normally commence at 3.15 p.m. and will end at 5.45 p.m. unless otherwise agreed at local level between all relevant parties. The school will close 15 minutes early on the day of the formal parent-teacher meeting. If such a meeting cannot be facilitated at a formal parent-teacher meeting then the parent will be offered a suitable and convenient appointment for same.