Eoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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157. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to consider correspondence (details supplied); and to provide guidance to a parent regarding the query outlined. [17798/26]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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The Education Act, 1998 sets out the key roles and functions that are discharged by patrons and boards of management in the running of schools. The Act provides that it is the duty of the board of management to manage the school on behalf of the patron, for the benefit of the students and their parents and to provide or cause to be provided an appropriate education for each student at the school.

The governance structure of schools is such that, in accordance with the Act, the patron of a school does not have a direct role in the day to day management of the school which is a matter for the board of management. However, section 19 of the Education Act provides for the patron, where they are of the opinion that the functions of a board are not being effectively discharged, following issuing a notice to the board members and consideration of any representations received, to authorise any person or persons as the patron may deem appropriate to report to the patron on any matter arising from or relating to the operation of that board. While the patron is required to inform the Minister where they propose to exercise functions under section 19, there is no requirement for the patron to provide the Minister with any further detail in relation to the matter.

Where a parent has an issue with the school that cannot be resolved informally the school should have a formal complaints procedure that can be followed. This should be available on the school’s website. If not, a parent can contact the school directly and request a copy of their complaint procedures. Complaints regarding the principal should be directed to management authority of the school. Where a parent is of the view that a school's board of management has failed to investigate or adequately investigate a complaint, it is open to them to raise the matter directly with the Chairperson of the Board of Management by correspondence marked “Private and Confidential”.

The Department does not have a role in investigating or responding to parental complaints as it is not directly involved in the day-to-day management of schools.