Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Question 107: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if she intends to implement the recommendations contained in the recent report, Second Level Student Councils in Ireland, produced by the children's research centre in Trinity College, Dublin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19659/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The research report referred to by the Deputy was commissioned by the working group on student councils in second level schools. The working group was established by the National Children's Office in June 2003, in co-operation with my Department, to promote the establishment of democratic student councils in second level schools. All of the partners in education and 11 second level students are members of the group. Officials of my Department are also participating in the working group.

In order to develop a better understanding of the operation of student councils and discover the needs of students, teachers, principals and schools, the working group contracted the children's research centre at Trinity College to carry out the research. The aim of the research study was to describe barriers, enablers and supports to the development and operation of student councils in Ireland as perceived by key stakeholders and to situate this within the international context. The research raises issues and makes recommendations for the development and support of student councils and is still being considered by the working group. The research report was formally launched by my colleague, the Minister of State with responsibility for children, Deputy Brian Lenihan, on 25 April last.

The working group will make a final report on their findings, including a proposed three year strategy to support the establishment and development of student councils, to my colleague, the Minister for children, by the end of June 2005. I will consider the recommendations contained in the research report in the context of the final report from the working group when it becomes available.