Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent)
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Question 469: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the responsibility her Department has for the ongoing educational needs of a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41227/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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An appeal was made to the Secretary General of my Department under Section 29 of the Education Act, 1998, against the decision of the Board of Management of a school in Co. Donegal to permanently exclude the person in question. The case went to full hearing before an independent appeals committee but the appeal was not upheld.

My Department has no authority to compel a school to re-admit a pupil, except in the case of an appeal under Section 29 of the Education Act, 1998, against an exclusion where the appeal is upheld.

The National Educational Welfare Board is the statutory agency which can assist parents who are experiencing difficulty in securing a school place for their child. The Welfare Board has indicated that it will treat children for whom an appeal under Section 29 has been unsuccessful as priority cases in offering such assistance. The Educational Welfare Officer for the Donegal area has been in contact with the family regarding education and possible school placements for the person.

Home tuition has been sanctioned by my Department since the commencement of the appeals process and will continue until a suitable school place has been secured.

My Department has forwarded details of the health concerns referred to by the Deputy to the Health Service Executive for their attention.