Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 98: To ask the Minister for Education and Science her views on the recent decision of the Supreme Court banning the publication of inspectors reports on primary schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19655/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The judgment of the Supreme Court issued on 31 May 2005 clarifies that it is within the discretion of the Minister for Education and Science under section 53 of the Education Act 1998 to decide whether or not to release information on schools. This discretionary power applies to the publication of school inspection reports.

In the light of growing demand for information on school quality, we need to make more information on schools available. However, this information must be balanced and must take account of the wide range of work undertaken by the schools. As I have stated on numerous occasions, I am totally opposed to the publication of crude league tables based on examination results. School inspection reports provide balanced evaluations of the work of schools and I am convinced that their wider availability could be very beneficial to students, parents, teachers and schools.

It is my intention to move to a situation where my Department will make school inspection reports more widely available. I intend to proceed on this in a planned and well thought out way. I have asked the inspectorate to consult with the education partners on how best we can achieve this.