Written answers

Wednesday, 4 April 2007

Department of Education and Science

School Insurance Costs

11:00 pm

Photo of Damien EnglishDamien English (Meath, Fine Gael)
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Question 272: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if she is satisfied in relation to insurance cover for primary schools in the State and that individual members of boards of management are fully indemnified against any claim made by any individuals or groups against any individual member of a board and any board as a corporate body. [13349/07]

Photo of Paul KehoePaul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 273: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the situation regarding the indemnification of boards of management for primary schools; and if she will clarify the different roles relating to Vocational Educational Committees taking over the running of primary schools. [13357/07]

Photo of Mary HanafinMary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 272 and 273 together.

The Boards of Management of primary schools are required to comply with The Constitution of Boards and Rules of Procedure which are revised periodically and agreed through discussions involving representatives of the primary management bodies, the INTO and the National Parents Council — Primary and my Department. Those procedures require each board to put in place comprehensive insurance cover to safeguard the school, the Board and the Trustees.

While members of Boards have a corporate responsibility to ensure that procedures are in place within the school to keep their pupils safe, they are not personally liable for claims against the school. The Education Act specifically protects individual members from being sued. My Department has confirmed with the primary management bodies that the schools that they represent have appropriate insurance cover. In addition, the head of the Catholic Primary School Managers Association has also publicly reassured board members that they are protected by insurance.

With regard to the Vocational Educational Committees taking over the running of primary schools, I announced on the 17 February 2007, that a new additional model of Primary school patronage would be introduced on a pilot basis at a school to be built in Diswellstown, Co Dublin. This model will provide an additional patronage option and is not intended to serve as a replacement of the existing patron models. My Department has begun a process of consultation with the relevant education partners to explore the detailed implementation measures that will be needed to be put in place prior to the opening of the proposed new school.

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