Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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135. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to publish a draft of the education (parent and student charter) Bill; the details of the proposed pre-legislative scrutiny process; and the timetable for this. [10676/17]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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On 5 December 2016, I published the General Scheme of an Education (Parent and Student Charter) Bill 2016. The Government have approved the draft outline of a new law, which will require every school to consult with parents and students, and publish and operate a Parent and Student Charter.

The publication of this draft legislation will fulfil a key commitment in the Action Plan for Education to improve information and complaint procedures for parents and students relating schools.

The draft legislation defines the principles that will guide how schools will engage with students and parents.

Following consultation with our education partners, including the National Parents Council (Primary), National Parents Council (Post Primary) and the Irish Second-level Students Union, I will finalise national guidelines on a Parent and Student Charter.

The draft Bill has now gone to the Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills for pre-legislative scrutiny.  On 12 December 2016, I wrote to the Chairperson of the Committee requesting that the Committee might consider carrying out pre-legislative scrutiny on the General Scheme of an Education (Parent and Student Charter) Bill simultaneously with Deputy Jim Daly's Private Members Bill regarding the establishment of an Ombudsman for Education.