David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 114: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if departmental guidelines exist governing the pupil-teacher ratio when children are attending sports, school tours and other events outside of the school grounds; the pupil-teacher ratios for same at primary and post-primary level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31983/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will be aware, under Section 15 of the Education Act 1998, the Board of Management is the body charged with the direct governance of a school. Responsibility for the appropriate supervision of students is therefore a matter for the individual Board of Management. While the Department does not issue specific guidelines on requirements for supervision in the specific situations outlined by the Deputy, it acknowledges that the degree of supervision required of school authorities varies with the individual circumstances, including the age of the pupil.

The question of the degree of supervision required in situations where pupils are attending sports events, school tours and other events outside of the school grounds, is a matter for determination by the Board of Management having regard to all the relevant circumstances concerned.