Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Green Party)
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Question 554: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the regulations that exist regarding the expulsion of a pupil from a Youthreach programme; if written notification needs to be given regarding this expulsion; if prior verbal or written notice needs to be provided and the person by whom it is provided; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39086/06]

Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Green Party)
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Question 555: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the procedures that exist for a pupil to appeal an expulsion or suspension from a Youthreach programme. [39087/06]

Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Green Party)
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Question 556: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if parents of pupils on Youthreach programmes are entitled to request files relating to the education of their child under the Education Act, 1998; if this includes information on discipline matters; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39088/06]

Síle de Valera (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 554 to 556, inclusive, together.

The Youthreach Programme is an Inter-Departmental initiative which provides two years integrated education, training and work experience to young people aged 15-20 years who are at least six months in the labour market and who have left school early without any qualifications or vocational training.

The programme funded by my Department is delivered in out of school centres and is managed by Vocational Education Committees (VECs). A general code of conduct is recommended in the 'Procedures in respect of Youthreach/Senior Travellers Centres' issued to VECs by the Vocational Support Services Unit. The Youthreach Quality Framework is currently being rolled out to all centres of education delivering the programme. Under Quality Area 16 of the Framework, all Youthreach centres are expected to have documented a Code of Behaviour.

Expulsion is consequent on a serious breach of a centre's code of behaviour. No separate regulations are in force regarding the expulsion or termination of a trainee's participation on the programme. There is no requirement for written notification nor for prior or written notice. Ordinarily, expulsion is a matter for the centre co-ordinator and the VEC with responsibility for the centre.

Sections 28 and 29 of the Education Act (1998) which refer to appeals against expulsion or exclusion refer to schools and not centres of education. Youthreach centres are classified as centres of education. Procedures for appealing a suspension or expulsion are a matter for the VEC responsible for the centre in question. It is open to the parents of an expelled trainee, or the trainee himself or herself, to make an appeal to the Chief Executive Officer of the VEC.