Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 91: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to the burden of responsibility and time taken on by members of boards of management of schools, particularly their chairpersons and treasurers; if she will provide more training and support for those persons; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27647/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Boards of management are recognised under section 14 of the Education Act 1998. They also operate in accordance with the constitution of boards and rules of procedure, issued by the Department of Education and Science to assist boards in the effective governance of schools.

In 2002-03, the Department reviewed the process whereby it supported a range of in-service activities, including board of management training, for schools at primary and post-primary levels. Previously, limited financial support was provided to a range of course providers-organisers for elective programmes of in-service, to the extent that resources permitted and having regard to other commitments and priorities such as curricular reform and special needs. However, this approach was regarded as too fragmented.

To rationalise the process and to make better use of available resources, groups and bodies were advised to contact their local education centre whose role, among other things, is to provide local in-service and support and to provide advice and assistance to schools and their personnel in these matters.

The Department of Education and Science funds a national network of 21 full-time and nine part-time education centres to deliver in-service support for schools and their personnel. The education centres provide board of management training courses to schools within their catchment area, usually in conjunction with other bodies and groups. To ensure consistency of provision, the Department of Education and Science liaises with appropriate bodies at central level. The teacher education section of the Department of Education and Science established a new mechanism for providing support to such bodies in 2005 on a pilot basis. This mechanism enables school management bodies to apply for direct support in addition to the existing support provided by the education centre network. This will remain in place pending a review of the process. The teacher education section is prepared to consider proposals and to provide support to management bodies following consultation and consideration of submissions.