Written answers

Tuesday, 30 June 2015

Department of Education and Skills

Educational Tours

Photo of Finian McGrathFinian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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509. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding school trips in respect of a family (details supplied) in Dublin 3; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25875/15]

Photo of Jan O'SullivanJan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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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.

Decisions in relation to educational tours by schools are a matter for each individual school. In accordance with my Department's circulars, the objective of an educational tour should be to provide a significant benefit in the educational, intellectual, cultural and social development of pupils taking part. It is a matter for each individual school to decide on the suitability of any proposed tour having regard to these requirements.

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 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.

The Deputy may also wish to note that the July Education Programme is available to all special schools and mainstream primary schools with special classes catering for children with autism that choose to extend their education services through the month of July.

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