Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Solidarity)
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203. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will consider representation on boards of management of primary schools for county and city councillors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25287/19]

Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
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In accordance with the provisions of Section 14 of the Education Act, 1998, the composition of a board of management must be agreed between patrons of schools, national associations of parents, recognised school management organisations, recognised trade unions and staff associations representing teachers and the Minister.

The agreed composition and procedures for the appointment of Boards of Management of primary schools are set out in my Department's publication "Governance Manual for Primary Schools 2015-2019".

The composition of primary school boards of management was last changed in 1997 following a church/state agreement reached at that time. Any changes to the existing composition of boards would involve re-opening that agreement. Under Section 14 of the Education Act, 1998, the agreement of all the other parties referred to in that section would also be required.

You will appreciate, given that there are approximately 3,200 primary schools in the country, that any future changes to the arrangements would require very careful consideration, and that the content of Section 14 would make it difficult to achieve under the current legislative framework.