Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 626: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if she will introduce a whistle-blowers' charter for schools when they are aware that interview procedures have not been adhered to; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12868/07]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The procedures for the interviewing and selection of candidates for teaching posts in primary schools are agreed by the Education Partners and the Department and are set out in Appendix D of the handbook for boards of management "Constitution of Boards and Rules of Rules of Procedure". This handbook issued from my Department to all boards of management at the beginning of the term of office of current boards.

Where interview procedures have not been adhered to, it is a matter for the Board of Management to bring the individual case to the attention of the Patron of the school. Section 5(x) of Appendix D of the Constitution and Rules of Procedure for Boards of Management clearly states "The Board of Management shall appoint the teacher so nominated unless it has good and sufficient reason not to do so, in which instance the matter shall be referred to the Patron, whose decision in this matter shall be accepted by the Board". I have no plans to amend this position.