Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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160. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his views on the removal of rule 68 from the Rules for National Schools; the progress he hopes to make in amending the rules to reflect the changes here since they were written; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16726/16]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware Rule 68 of the Rules for National Schools was rescinded by Circular 0009/2016 in January of this year in accordance with a recommendation in the Report of the Advisory Group to the Forum on Patronage and Pluralism in the Primary Sector.

The Report of the Advisory Group to the Forum on Patronage and Pluralism in the Primary Sector was published in April 2012 and recommended a review and updating of the Rules for National Schools and in particular, Rule 68. The Report acknowledged that many of the Rules are outdated and have been overtaken in whole or in part by legislation and directions in Department circulars. In addition to rescinding Rule 68, Circular 0009/2016 outlined that the Department would proceed to identify other Rules for rescinding particularly where primary legislation deals with the subject matter of the rule in question.

In relation to the education sector generally, the Programme for Government recognises that Government, working in conjunction with the Oireachtas must introduce measures that, inter alia, will modernise our education system and address the demands and pressures that face school leaders. In light of this and in line with Circular 0009/2016, my Department will be examining the issue of identifying further Rules for rescinding.