Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 175: To ask the Minister for Education and Science when changes to Section 29 of the Education Act 1998 will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34219/06]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 185: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the changes she will now bring forward to Section 29 of the Education Act 1998; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34217/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 175 and 185 together.

The Deputies will be aware that the Task Force on Student Behaviour in Second Level Schools recommended that section 29 of the Education Act, 1998, be reviewed and amending legislation brought forward. I am pleased to inform the Deputies that the Office of the Parliamentary Council is drafting a new Education (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill which will give effect to the Task Force recommendations. This legislation will set out the criteria to be taken into account in the section 29 appeal process. These will include the rights of the individual student to an inclusive education. They will also include the right of the general body of students and the whole school community to the maintenance of a school and classroom environment which is conducive to learning.

I hope to be in a position to publish the Bill in the near future.