Paul McGrath (Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 498: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of primary school and second level pupils who have been suspended from their respective schools for each of the years 2002 to 2005 and to date in 2006. [41575/06]

Paul McGrath (Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 499: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the average number of days that students attending primary school and second level school have been suspended for in each of the years 2002 to 2006. [41576/06]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 498 and 499 together.

The Education (Welfare) Act, 2000 established the National Educational Welfare Board (NEWB) as the single national body with responsibility for school attendance. The Act provides a comprehensive framework promoting regular school attendance and tackling the problems of absenteeism and early school leaving. The general functions of the Board are to ensure that each child attends a recognised school or otherwise receives a certain minimum education.

In January 2005, the National Educational Welfare Board (NEWB) issued guidelines to the management authorities of all primary and post primary schools on reporting student absences,suspensions and expulsions. These guidelines advise that a school must report to the NEWB where a decision has been taken to expel a student.

Schools are also required to periodically report to the NEWB on student absences. Suspension is one of seven possible categories of absence which are reported on.

As regards the specific data requested by the Deputy on the matter of suspensions, I have requested the NEWB to provide this information to me and I will reply directly to the Deputy when the data is to hand.