Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 338: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the guidelines for the length of time a pupil spends in primary school; if the parents of a pupil wish their child to repeat a year, at whose discretion is this decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43802/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The Primary School curriculum is designed as an eight year course, including a two year infant cycle followed by six years in standards from first to sixth, with children progressing to the next grade at the end of each school year.

The curriculum is flexible and child-centred, and can be adapted to meet children's needs. A range of additional supports are also available to schools to enable pupils to make progress in keeping with their needs and abilities and to move consecutively through the different class levels in the school along with their peers.

My Department's policy in relation to the retention of pupils in primary schools is set out in Primary Circular 32/03 which issued to all primary schools in December, 2003 and is available on my Department's website.

In accordance with this circular, pupils should only repeat a year for educational reasons and in exceptional circumstances. The terms of the circular also provide that an additional grade level should not operate through the retention of all or a substantial number of pupils and that pupils must not transfer to another primary school to repeat sixth class.

However, the circular recognises that in exceptional cases a Principal teacher, following consultation with the learning support teacher/resource teacher and class teacher and parent(s) of the pupil may conclude that a pupil would benefit educationally by repeating a grade level. In such cases, the pupil may be allowed to repeat the year provided there is an educational basis for it, and there is a clear programme for the pupil to follow.

In all cases where the proposed retention of pupils has staffing implications, my Department should be notified.