Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 641: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the process whereby chairpersons of boards of management of primary schools are appointed; the role of her Department in these appointments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33102/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Under section 14 of the Education Act 1998 it is the duty of a patron, for the purposes of ensuring that a recognised school is managed in a spirit of partnership, to appoint, where practicable, a board of management. The patron is responsible for initiating the steps necessary for the establishment of the board in accordance with the procedures set out in the handbook, Boards of Management of National Schools — Constitution of Boards and Rules of Procedure.

When the process for the election or nomination of persons to the board is complete, the patron formally appoints the board of management and appoints one of the members as chairperson of the board. The patron communicates the names of the chairperson and the other members of the board to the Minister and confirms that the appointment of the members conforms to the procedures and requirements set out in the handbook. Except where the Minister communicates to the contrary, within ten days of receipt of this information, the board is deemed to be recognised and assumes office forthwith.