Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 237: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of section 29s made to her Department in regard to applications for school positions in Kildare for each of the past three years; the area for which such applications were made; the results of such applications; the reaction of her Department to such applications; the action taken; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35997/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Section 29 of the Education Act, 1998, allows parents, and students who have reached the age of 18, the right to appeal certain decisions made by a school's Board of Management. Appeals may be made in respect of a decision to (i) permanently exclude a student (ii) suspend a student from the school for a period which would bring the cumulative period of suspension to 20 school days in any one school year or (iii) refuse to enrol a student.

In 2004 a total of 10 section 29 appeals in respect of first and second level schools in Co. Kildare were made to the Secretary General of my Department. Of these, 1 was resolved by an independent facilitator, appointed by my Department and who brokered an agreement between the parties to the appeal; 4 were upheld by the appeals committee; and 5 were not upheld by the appeals committee. The areas covered by the appeals were Naas (4), Newbridge (3), Celbridge (2), and Athgarvan (1).

In 2005 a total of 14 section 29 appeals in respect of first and second level schools in Co. Kildare were made. Of these, 5 were withdrawn by the appellant, 2 were resolved by an independent facilitator, 3 were upheld by the appeals committee, and 4 were not upheld by the appeals committee. The areas covered by the appeals were Naas (9), Newbridge (3), Celbridge (1), and Kilcullen (1).

To date in 2006 a total of 19 section 29 appeals in respect of first and second level schools in Co. Kildare have been made. Of these, 4 were withdrawn by the appellant, 1 was resolved by local agreement between the appellant and school, 6 were upheld by the appeals committee, and 8 were not upheld by the appeals committee. The areas covered by the appeals were Naas (12), Celbridge (3), Curragh (2), Newbridge (1), and Ballymore Eustace (1).

As appeals under section 29 are determined by an independent appeals committee, it would not be appropriate for me to offer any further comment.