Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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Question 85: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if she has considered the recent survey carried out by the Irish Primary Principals Network which found that many principals are extremely overloaded and overworked; if she will address the administrative burden under which principals are operating; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13013/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I am aware of the concerns expressed by a number of organisations, including the Irish Primary Principals Network in their survey, about the administrative burden placed on schools and the effect this has on the workload of principals. In response to these concerns, I have already started a process of review of the administrative burden imposed on schools arising from departmental and legislative requirements. We can collectively seek opportunities to ensure that this burden is kept to the minimum, consistent with achieving the worthwhile and essential objectives of legislation in recent years.

The core purpose of the review I have set in motion is to focus sharply upon administrative processes and consequent administrative burdens which arise within the school as a result of regulations and/or departmental requirements and to consider what scope exists for alleviating these or having them performed in a more efficient and less demanding manner from the perspectives of the school.

In March my Department wrote to the various representative bodies inviting them to consider where and in what way present processes can be improved upon. My Department will work closely with all parties involved to find meaningful solutions in respect of this important issue.