As Ann Déscrolláil
Cuir Déscrolláil ar siúl chun an dá leagan a scrolláil le chéile.
Uimh. 17 de 1926.
ACHT FREASTAL SCOILE, 1926.
Mínithe.
1.—San Acht so—
cialluíonn an focal “an tAire” an tAire Oideachais;
cialluíonn an focal “scoil náisiúnta” bun-scoil lae phuiblí a bheidh admhuithe ag an Aire de thurus na huaire mar scoil náisiúnta;
cialluíonn an focal “scoil oiriúnach” scoil a bheidh deimhnithe de thurus na huaire ag an Aire fén Acht so mar scoil oiriúnach do réir bhrí an Achta so;
foluíonn an focal “scoil náisúnta no scoil oiriúnach eile” scoil náisiúnta agus scoil oiriúnach;
foluíonn on focal “príomh-oide” aon leas-phríomh-oide no oide eile a bheidh ag gníomhú de thurus na huaire mar phríomh-oide no do phríomh-oide;
nuair a tráchtar ar thuismitheoir leinbh cialluíonn an focal “tuismitheoir” an té go bhfuil an leanbh ina chimeád do réir dlí agus más rud é, toisc an duine sin do bheith as láthair no ar aon chúis eile, ná fuil an leanbh in éintigheas leis an duine sin no ná fuil sé ina chimeád dáiríribh, foluíonn an focal san an té 'na bhfuil an leanbh in éintigheas leis no 'na bhfuil an leanbh ina chimeád dáiríribh;
nuair a tráchtar ar fhostú leinbh cialluíonn an focal “fostú” bheith ar fostú in aon obair agus ag gabháil di mar chéird no chun tuillimh don leanbh no d'éinne eile;
foluíonn an focal “breoiteacht” aon aicíd no lot cuirp no aigne;
cialluíonn an focal “orduithe” orduithe ag an Aire le hordú a bheidh déanta fén Acht so;
foluíonn an focal “cionta fén Acht so” cionta fé aon alt no fo-alt den Acht so;
cialluíonn an focal “tosach feidhme an Achta so” an dáta ar a dtiocfidh i ngníomh, de bhua ordú a dhéanfidh an tAire fén Acht so, an t-alt ina n-úsáidtear an focal, agus, más ar dhátanna difriúla a thiocfidh an t-alt san i ngníomh amhlaidh i líomatáistí no i gceanntair dhifriúla, cialluíonn sé, maidir le haon líomatáiste no ceanntar áirithe acu san, an dáta ar a dtiocfidh an t-alt san i ngníomh amhlaidh sa líomatáiste no sa cheanntar san.
Baint an Achta so.
2.—San Acht so, cialluíonn agus foluíonn an focal “leanbh le n-a mbaineann an tAcht so” leanbh go mbeidh sé bliana d'aois slán aige agus ná beidh ceithre bliana déag d'aois slán aige, agus gach leanbh eile le n-a mbeidh an tAcht so curtha i mbaint de thurus na huaire de bhua ordú a bheidh déanta ag an Aire fén gcomhacht a bronntar air chuige sin ina dhiaidh seo anso.
Dáta sroiste aon aoise áirithe.
3.—Chun crícheanna an Achta so tuigfar aon aois áirithe do bheith sroiste ag leanbh pé lá acu so a leanas, sé sin le rá, an 31adh lá de Mhárta, an 30adh lá de Mheitheamh, an 30adh lá de Mheán Fhomhair, no an 31adh lá de Mhí na Nodlag, is túisce thiocfidh tar éis an lae, de laetheanta cuimhne a bheirthe, ar a sroichfe sé an aois sin.
Oblagáid chun scoil d'fhreastal.
4.—(1) Mara mbeidh leathscéal réasúnta chun gan san a dhéanamh cuirfidh tuismitheoir gach leinbh le n-a mbaineann an tAcht so fé ndeár an leanbh bheith ar scoil náisiúnta no ar scoil oiriúnach eile gach lá a bheidh an scoil sin ar oscailt chun gnáth-theagaisc agus ar feadh pé méid aimsire gach lá den tsórt san a bheidh orduithe no ceaduithe ag an Aire i gcóir an lae sin.
(2) Leathscéal réasúnta chun gan an t-alt so do chólíona isea éinní acu so a leanas, sé sin le rá:—
(a) gur breoiteacht an leinbh do chosc an leanbh o bheith ar scoil;
(b) go bhfuil an leanbh ag fáil bun-oideachais oiriúnaigh i slí éigin eile seachas tré bheith ar scoil náisiúnta no ar scoil oiriúnach eile;
(c) ná fuil comhgarach don leanbh scoil náisiúnta ná scoil oiriúnach eile ar a bhféadfadh an leanbh dul agus ná fuil tuismitheoir an leinbh, ar chúiseanna creidimh, i gcoinnibh an leanbh do chur chúichi;
(d) gur chosc leor-chúis éigin eile an leanbh gan bheith ar scoil.
(3) Go dti an bhliain 1936 beidh an ní seo a leanas leis ina leathscéal réasúnta chun an t-alt so d'fhágaint gan cólíona deich lá ar a mhéid i rith na tréimhse dar tosach an 17adh lá de Mhárta agus dar críoch an 15adh lá den Bhealtaine dár gcionn in aon bhliain maidir le leanbh go mbeidh dhá bhliain déag d'aois slán aige, sé sin le rá, gur coisceadh an leanbh o bheith ar scoil de dheascaibh é bheith ag gabháil d'obair éadtrom thalmhaíochta dá thuismitheoir ar thalamh a thuismitheora.
(4) Go dtí an bhliain 1936 beidh an ní seo a leanas leis ina leathscéal réasúnta chun an t-alt so d'fhágaint gan cólíona deich lá ar a mhéid i rith na tréimhse dar tosach an 1adh lá de Lúnasa agus dar críoch an 15adh lá den Deire Fomhair dár gcionn in aon bhliain maidir le leanbh go mbeidh dhá bhliain déag d'aois slán aige, sé sin le rá, gur coisceadh an leanbh o bheith ar scoil de dheascaibh é bheith ag gabháil d'obair éadtrom thalmhaíochta dá thuismitheoir ar thalamh a thuismitheora.
(5) Tuigfar scoil do bheith comhgarach do leanbh chun críchcanna an ailt seo i gceachtar den dá chás so, ach ionta san amháin:—
(a) má tá an scoil suidhte, maidir le leanbh ná fuil deich mbliana d'aois slán aige, laistigh de dhá mhíle a tomhsadh o áit chomhnaithe an leinbh in aithghearr gach conaire is dleathach agus is oiriúnach don leanbh a ghabháil no, maidir le leanbh go bhfuil deich mbliana d'aois slán aige, laistigh de thrí mhíle a tomhsadh sa tslí chéanna; no
(b) má tá cóir iompair oiriúnach chun na scoile ar fáil ag an leanbh o phuínte laistigh d'fhaid réasúnta o áit chomhnaithe an leinbh.
Deimhniú scoileanna oiriúnacha.
5.—(1) Más oiriúnach leis é agus nuair isea, féadfidh an tAire, le deimhniú sa bhfuirm orduithe, aon scoil áirithe do dheimhniú mar scoil atá oiriúnach do réir bhrí an Achta so chun leanbhaí le n-a mbaineann an tAcht so do dhul ar scoil inti chun bunoideachas d'fháil, agus féadfidh an tAire aon deimhniú den tsórt san do cheiliúra aon uair mar is oiriúnach leis é agus nuair isea.
(2) Féadfidh an tAire pé fiosruithe, lorgaireachta, agus iniúchta réasúnta is dó leis is ceart do dhéanamh no do chur á ndéanamh chun a fháil amach do féin ce'ca tá no ná fuil aon scoil áirithe oiriúnach chun a deimhnithe mar scoil oiriúnach no ce'ca tá no ná fuil sí ag leanúint de bheith amhlaidh.
(3) Aon oifigeach don Aire 'na mbeidh údarás cuibhe aige chuige sin ón Aire, feadfa sé, chun na críche roimhráite, dul isteach gach tráth réasúnta in aon scoil oiriúnach no in aon scoil do hiarradh ar an Aire a dheimhniú mar scoil oiriúnach, agus pé fiosruithe, lorgaireachta, agus iniúchta is dó leis is ceart do dhéanamh inti.
(4) Gach bainisteoir agus stiúrthóir ar aon scoil den tsórt san roimhráite agus gach múinteoir inti agus gach tuismitheoir do leanbh a théigheann ar an scoil sin, déanfa sé chó fada le n-a chumas pé ceisteanna d'fhreagairt agus pé eolas do thabhairt uaidh a cuirfar chuige no a hiarrfar air go réasúnta chun na críche roimhráite ag oifigeach don Aire 'na mbeidh údarás cuibhe aige chuige sin ón Aire.
An líomatáiste freastal scoile le n-a mbaineann leanbh.
6.—(1) Chun críche an Achta so tuigfar gur leis an líomatáiste freastal scoile ina bhfuil gnáth-chomhnaí air a bhaineann leanbh le n-a mbaineann an tAcht so.
(2) Má dintar agus nuair a déanfar gnáth-chomhnaí leinbh le n-a mbaineann an tAcht so d'atharú o líomatáiste freastal scoile go líomatáiste freastal scoile eile, déanfidh tuismitheoir an leinbh, laistigh de sheachtain tar éis an atharuithe, fógra i scríbhinn no i bpearsain i dtaobh an atharuithe do thabhairt d'údarás feidhmiúcháin an líomatáiste fhreastal scoile o n-ar hatharuíodh an comhnaí sin agus fós d'údarás feidhmiúcháin an líomatáiste fhreastal scoile chun ar hatharuíodh an comhnaí sin.
(3) Má bhíonn éinne gan fógra den tsórt san a luaidhtear sa bhfo-alt san roimhe seo do thabhairt d'aon údarás feidhmiúcháin gur gá dho do réir an fho-ailt sin an céanna do thabhairt do beidh sé ciontach i gcionta fén alt so agus, ar a chiontú ann ar an slí achmair, dlighfar fíneáil ná raghaidh thar deich scillinge do chur air.
(4) Féadfidh tuismitheoir leinbh le n-a mbaineann an tAcht so an leanbh d'aistriú o scoil náisiúnta go scoil náisiúnta eile aon uair le cead an Aire no nuair a déanfar an t-aistriú toisc gnáth-chomhnaí an leinbh do bheith atharuithe, ach in aon chás eile ní haistreofar leanbh le n-a mbaineann an tAcht so o scoil náisiúnta go scoil náisiúnta eile ach an chéad uair a gheobhfar caoi air tar éis lae éigin acu so a leanas, sé sin le rá, an 1adh lá d'Eanair, an 1adh lá d'Abrán, an 1adh lá d'Iúl, no an 1adh lá de Dheire Fomhair.
Srian le fostú leanbh.
7.—(1) Maraon le héinní eile dleathach chun fostú leanbh do thoirmeasc no do shriana, agus gan dochar don ní sin, féadfidh an tAire, le hordú, rialacháin do dhéanamh chun a thoirmeasc go ndéanfí leanbhaí le n-a mbaineann an tAcht so d'fhostú ina leithéidí sin de thráthanna no d'áiteanna no ina leithéid sin de shlí go gcoiscfí iad o bheith ar scoil do réir an Achta so no gan tairbhe cheart do bhaint as bheith ar scoil amhlaidh no go gcuirfí isteach ar iad do dhéanamh éinní acu san agus leis na rialacháin sin féadfa sé go sonnrách, chun na críche sin, fostú leanbh den tsórt san do thoirmeasc no do shriana i ngnóthaí áirithe no i rith uaireanta áirithe.
(2) Einne a fhostóidh leanbh contrárdha do rialachán a bheidh déanta fén alt so, beidh sé ciontach i gcionta fén alt so agus, ar a chiontú ann ar an slí achmair, dlighfar fíneáil ná raghaidh thar dachad scilling do chur air má sé an chéad chionta aige é agus fíneáil ná raghaidh thar cúig púint má sé an dara cionta aige é no aon chionta ina dhiaidh sin.
(3) Ní dhéanfidh rialacháin a déanfar fén alt so aon leanbh a bhí i bhfostaíocht dleathach díreach roimh thosach feidhme an Achta so do chosc ar leanúint sa bhfostaíocht san ná leanbh a bheidh á choinneáil go dleathach i scoil deimhnithe shaothair no cheartúcháin do chosc ar shaothar láimhe do dhéanamh ná aon leanbh do chosc ar theagasc ar shaothar láimhe d'fháil in aon scoil.
(4) Gach rialachán a déanfar fén alt so leagfar é fé bhráid gach Tighe den Oireachtas chó luath agus is féidir é tar éis a dhéanta agus má dhineann aon Tigh acu san laistigh den lá is fiche a shuidhfidh an Tigh sin ina dhiaidh sin rún do rith ag cur an rialacháin sin ar nea-mbrí beidh an rialachán san ar nea-mbrí dá réir sin ach beidh san gan dochar do dhleathacht éinní a dineadh roimhe sin fén rialachán san.
An t-údarás feidhmiúcháin.
8.—(1) Isiad a bheidh mar údarás feidhmiúcháin chun crícheanna an Achta so ná—
(a) i ngach líomatáiste freastal scoile a bheidh suidhte i gcontae-bhuirg no i mbailecheanntar a luaidhtear sa Sceideal a ghabhann leis an Acht so, an coiste freastal scoile a ceapfar fén Acht so don líomatáiste sin; agus
(b) i ngach líomatáiste freastal scoile ná beidh suidhte in aon chontae-bhuirg ná bailecheanntar acu san, an t-oifigeach den Ghárda Síochána a bheidh de thurus na huaire i seilbh na céime agus sa stáisiún a hordófar chuige sin leis an ordú le n-a leagfar amach no le n-a míneofar an líomatáiste.
(2) Beidh sé de dhualgas ar gach údarás feidhmiúcháin na cláir agus na breacacháin orduithe do chimeád chun crícheanna an Achta so, agus leigint d'oifigigh don Aire 'na mbeidh údarás cuibhe acu chuige sin ón Aire na cláir agus na breacacháin sin d'iniúcha gach tráth réasúnta.
Leaga amach líomatáistí freastal scoile.
9.—(1) Chó luath agus is féidir é tar éis rithe an Achta so, déanfidh an tAire le hordú no le horduithe, tar éis dul i gcomhairle leis an Aire Dlí agus Cirt, iomlán Shaorstáit Éireann (lasmuich de sna contae-bhuirgí agus de sna bailecheanntair a luaidhtear sa Sceideal a ghabhann leis an Acht so) do roinnt ina líoma-táistí freastal scoile agus féadfa sé o am go ham, le hordú, an roinnt sin d'atharú (tré chó-nasca, roinnt, no atharú teoranna líomatáistí).
(2) Le gach ordú a déanfar fén alt so ordófar céim agus stáisiún na n-oifigeach fé seach den Ghárda Síochána a bheidh ina n-údaráis fheidhmiúcháin sna líomatáistí uile agus fé seach le n-a mbainfidh an t-ordú.
(3) Gach oifigeach den Ghárda Síochána a bheidh ina údarás fheidhmiúcháin fén Acht so féadfa sé gach feidhm no aon fheidhm dá mbeidh aige mar údarás feidhmiúcháin den tsórt san d'fheidhmiú tré aon bhall no baill den Ghárda Síochána a bheidh fé n-a cheannas, agus gach ball den Ghárda Síochána tré n-a bhfeidhmeofar na feidhmeanna san amhlaidh beidh sé ina oifigeach fhreastal scoile chun crícheanna an Achta so.
Coistí freastal scoile do cheapa do líomatáistí áirithe.
10.—(1) Gach ceann de sna contae-bhuirgí agus de sna bailecheanntair a luaidhtear sa Sceideal a ghabhann leis an Acht so beidh sé ina líomatáiste fhreastal scoile, ach féadfidh comhairle aon cheann de sna contae-bhuirgí agus de sna bailecheanntair sin aon uair, fé réir aontú an Aire, dhá líomatáiste fhreastal scoile no níos mó do dhéanamh den bhuirg no den cheanntar san.
(2) Beidh coiste freastal scoile i ngach líomatáiste freastal scoile sna contae-bhuirgí agus sna bailecheanntair sin agus beidh an chéad choiste freastal scoile i ngach ceann fé leith de sna líomatáistí freastal scoile sin có-dhéanta de sna daoine a bhí, díreach roimh thosach feidhme an Achta so, ina mbaill den choiste fhreastal scoile a ceapadh fén Irish Education Act, 1892, don líomatáiste sin agus beidh na daoine sin i seilbh oifige mar bhaill den chéad choiste freastal scoile sin go dtí an t-am a ordóidh an tAire fén alt so i gcóir tosach téarma oifige a gcomharbaí.
(3) Déanfar baill gach coiste fhreastal scoile fé leith sna líomatáistí freastal scoile sin (lasmuich de bhaill an chéad choiste fhreastal scoile agus de bhaill a ceapfar chun foth-fholúntaisí do líona) do cheapa go trí-bhliantach pé tráthanna a ordóidh an tAire fén alt so agus (maran rud é go n-éagfid, go n-eireoid as oifig no go gcuirfar as oifig iad idir an dá linn) fanfid i seilbh oifige go ceann trí mblian ón am a ordóidh an tAire fén alt so i gcóir tosach a dtéarma oifige.
(4) Maidir le gach coiste freastal scoile (lasmuich den chéad choiste freastal scoile) i ngach ceann fé leith de sna líomatáistí freastal scoile sin, má bhíonn sa líomatáiste freastal scoile, le linn baill do bheith á gceapa go trí-bhliantach, Coiste Comhairle um Shóisir do bunuíodh ag an Aire Tionnscail agus Tráchtála no atá fé n-a chúram, beidh an coiste freastal scoile sin codhéanta d'aon bhall déag ar feadh na tréimhse trí mblian ina dhiaidh sin agus, mara mbeidh aon Choiste Comhairle um Shóisir den tsórt san sa líomatáiste le linn an cheaptha thríbhliantaigh sin, beidh an coiste freastal scoile sin có-dhéanta de dheichniúr ball ar feadh na tréimhse trí mblian ina dhiaidh sin.
(5) Ní foláir gach duine de chúigear de bhaill choiste fhreastal scoile a ceapfar fén alt so do bheith ina bhainisteoir no ina phátrún ar scoil náisiúnta no ar scoil oiriúnach eile sa líomatáiste freastal scoile chó fada agus bheidh a leithéidí ar fáil, agus ní foláir ball amháin eile do bheith ina oide i scoil náisiúnta no i scoil oiriúnach eile sa líomatáiste freastal scoile agus, má bhíonn an coiste có-dhéanta d'aon bhall déag, ní foláir ball amháin eile do bheith ina bhall den Choiste Chomhairle um Shóisir sa líomatáiste freastal scoile.
(6) Ceapfidh an tAire cúigear ball de gach coiste freastal scoile a ceapfar fén alt so agus ní foláir éinne amháin ar a laighead de sna baill a ceapfar amhlaidh do bheith ina oide i scoil náisiúnta no i scoil oiriúnach eile sa líomatáiste freastal scoile.
(7) I gcás coiste freastal scoile a ceapfar fén alt so do bheith có-dhéanta de dheichniúr ball, déanfidh comhairle na contaebhuirge no an bhailecheanntair ina mbeidh an líomatáiste freastal scoile suidhte cúigear de sna baill sin do cheapa agus ní foláir éinne amháin ar a laighead den chúigear ball san do bheith ina bhainisteoir no ina phátrún ar scoil náisiúnta no ar scoil oiriúnach eile sa líomatáiste freastal scoile, agus i gcás an coiste freastal scoile do bheith có-dhéanta d'aon bhall déag ceapfidh an chomhairle sin seisear de sna baill sin agus ní foláir éinne amháin ar a laighead den tseisear ball san do bheith ina bhainisteoir no ina phátrún den tsórt roimhráite agus ní foláir eínne amháin eile acu do bheith ina bhall den Choiste Chomhairle um Shóisir sa líomatáiste freastal scoile.
(8) Tar éis dul i gcomhairle leis an Aire Rialtais Áitiúla agus Sláinte Puiblí féadfidh an tAire, le hordú, na nithe seo d'ordú, eadhon, na tráthanna agus an modh ina ndéanfidh comhairlí na gcontae-bhuirgí agus na mbailecheanntar san agus an tAire fé seach baill de choistí freastal scoile do cheapa, an t-am a thosnóidh tréimhse oifige ball na gcoistí sin, an t-am agus an modh chun foth-fholúntaisí ar na coistí sin do líona agus tréimhse oifige daoine a ceapfar chun na folúntaisí sin do líona, agus amannta cruinnithe, quorum, modh stiúrtha gnótha, agus modh cimeádtha cuntaisí na gcoistí sin.
(9) Beidh ag oifigeach don Aire 'na mbeidh údarás cuibhe aige chuige sin ón Aire teideal chun bheith i láthair ag aon chruinniú de choiste freastal scoile agus chun labhartha leis an gcoiste sin, ach ní chun vótála, ar éinní a bheidh fé bhreithniú ag an gcoiste ag an gcruinniú san.
Oifigigh choistí freastal scoile.
11.—(1) Fé réir forálacha an ailt seo féadfidh gach coiste freastal scoile do líomatáiste freastal scoile in aon cheann de sna contae-bhuirgí agus de sna bailecheanntair a luaidhtear sa Sceideal a ghabhann leis an Acht so pé oifigigh is dó leo is ceart do cheapa agus do chur as oifig fé réir aontú comhairle na contaebhuirge no an bhailecheanntair agus fé réir chead an Aire agus féadfid, fé réir an aontuithe agus an cheada roimhráite, luach saothair na n-oifigeach san do cheapa agus d'íoc.
(2) Chun crícheanna Chuid IV. den Acht Rialtais Áitiúla, 1925 (Uimh. 5 de 1925) (a bhaineann le haois-liúntasaíocht oifigeacha cóluchta áitiúla) tuigfar gur coistí d'údarás áitiúil gach coiste freastal scoile agus gur cólucht áitiúil é do réir bhrí na Coda san IV. den Acht san agus, sa mhéid gur féidir forálacha na Coda san IV. do chur i mbaint le coiste freastal scoile agus le n-a n-oifigigh, bainfid leo fé mar a bhainid le coiste d'údarás áitiúil agus le n-a n-oifigigh ach beidh san fé réir na n-atharuithe seo a leanas do dhéanamh, sé sin le rá:—
(a) an deona liúntais no aisce a dhéanfidh coiste freastal scoile beidh sé fé réir aontú comhairle na contaebhuirge no an bhailecheanntair a íocann costaisí an choiste fhreastal scoile sin; agus
(b) i gcás oifigigh do choiste fhreastal scoile do ceapadh fén Irish Education Act, 1892, duine gur dhin oifigeach do choiste fhreastal scoile fén Acht so dhe, áireofar seirbhís an oifigigh sin fén gcéad choiste sin mar sheirbhís fén dara coiste.
(3) Féadfidh an tAire, aon uair más maith leis é, aon oifigeach d'aon choiste freastal scoile den tsórt roimhráite do chur as oifig.
(4) Gach duine a bheidh, díreach roimh thosach feidhme an Achta so, ina oifigeach do choiste fhreastal scoile do ceapadh fén Irish Education Act, 1892, do líomatáiste fhreastal scoile atá suidhte i gcontae-bhuirg no i mbailecheanntar a luaidhtear sa Sceideal a ghabhann leis an Acht so, iompóidh agus beidh sé, díreach tar éis tosach feidhme an Achta so, ina oifigeach don choiste fhreastal scoile fén Acht so don líomatáiste fhreastal scoile sin fé is dá ndineadh an coiste deiridh sin a luaidhtear é cheapa fén alt so.
(5) Ní cheapfidh coiste freastal scoile éinne chun bheith ina oifigeach don choiste sin mara mbeidh aige pé cáilíochta a ordóidh an tAire Oideachais, tar éis do dul i gcomhairle leis an Aire Rialtais Áitiúla agus Sláinte Puiblí, mar cháilíochta riachtanacha don oifigeach san don choiste sin.
Oifigigh fhreastal scoile.
12.—(1) Féadfidh gach coiste freastal scoile, le ceapa i scríbhinn sa bhfuirm orduithe fé láimh bheirt bhall den choiste, pé oifigigh dá n-oifigigh is oiriúnach leo do cheapa chun bheith ina n-oifigigh fhreastal scoile chun crícheanna an Achta so.
(2) Le linn do bheith ag feidhmiú aon údaráis no comhachta fén Acht so mar oifigeach freastal scoile do ceapadh fén alt so, déanfidh gach oifigeach den tsórt san, nuair a héileofar air é, an ceapa le n-ar ceapadh é amhlaidh do thabhairt i láthair agus do thaisbeáint d'éinne go mbeidh sé ag feidhmiú an údaráis no na comhachta san ina thaobh.
(3) Má dhineann duine a bheidh á éileamh gur oifigeach freastal scoile é féin scríbhinn do thabhairt i láthair agus a rá gurb é an ceapa é le n-ar ceapadh é mar oifigeach den tsórt san agus más cosúil, le féachaint uirthi, gurb é an ceapa san í agus go bhfuil sí déanta agus sighnithe go cuibhe fén alt so agus dá réir, beidh an scríbhinn sin ina fianaise, go dtí go gcruthófar a mhalairt, gurb é an duine sin an t-oifigeach freastal scoile sin.
Costaisí coistí freastal scoile.
13.—(1) Na costaisí a bheidh ar gach coiste freastal scoile do líomatáiste fhreastal scoile a bheidh suidhte i gcontae-bhuirg no i mbailecheanntar a luaidhtear sa Sceideal a ghabhann leis an Acht so, íocfidh comhairle na contae-bhuirge no an bhailecheanntair sin iad as an ráta céanna as a n-íoctí, fé alt 74 den Local Government (Ireland) Act, 1898, costaisí coiste fhreastal scoile do ceapadh fén Irish Education Act, 1892.
(2) Gach airgead agus sócmhainn eile a bheidh ag gach coiste freastal scoile a ceapadh fén Irish Education Act, 1892, do líomatáiste fhreastal scoile atá suidhte i gcontae-bhuirg no i mbailecheanntar a luaidhtear sa Sceideal a ghabhann leis an Acht so, agus gach fiachas a bheidh ortha, déanfar, díreach tar éis tosach feidhme an Achta so, iad d'aistriú chun an choiste fhreastal scoile fén Acht so don líomatáiste fhreastal scoile sin agus glacfidh an coiste sin iad no íocfid iad (pe'ca aca is gá sa chás).
Féadfidh an tAire coistí freastal scoile do scur.
14.—(1) Más deimhin agus nuair is deimhin leis an Aire ná fuil coiste freastal scoile ag feidhmiú a bhfeidhmeanna fén Acht so go cuibhe agus go héifeachtúil no gur eitíodar no gur leigeadar i bhfaillí go toiliúil aon fhoráil áirithe den Acht so no de sna rialacháin a bheidh déanta fé do chólíona, féadfidh an tAire, le hordú, an coiste sin do scur agus leis an ordú san—
(a) ceapfa sé duine (dá ngairmtear maor san alt so) chun dualgaisí an choiste sin do chólíona, no
(b) faisnéisfe sé, le haontú an Aire Dlí agus Cirt, go mbainfidh an tAcht so le líomatáiste freastal scoile an choiste sin fé is ná beadh an líomatáiste sin suidhte i gcontae bhuirg no i mbailecheanntar a luaidhtear sa Sceideal a ghabhann leis an Acht so, no
(c) déanfa sé pé socrú eile is dó leis is ceart chun go gcólíonfar dualgaisí an choiste sin.
(2) In aon chás ina bhféadfadh an tAire, fén bhfo-alt san roimhe seo, coiste freastal scoile do scur, féadfa sé, le hordú, gach ball no aon bhall den choiste sin do chur de in ionad an coiste sin do scur agus in ionad na socruithe ba ghá de dheascaibh a scurtha agus a luaidhtear sa bhfo-alt san roimhe seo do dhéanamh, agus má dintar aon ordú den tsórt san tuigfar gur foth-fholúntaisí na folúntaisí a thiocfidh sa choiste sin de dheascaibh ball no baill do chur de amhlaidh, agus líonfar iad dá réir sin.
(3) Má dhineann an tAire, le hordú fén alt so, maor do cheapa, beidh éifeacht ag na forálacha so a leanas, sé sin le rá:—
(a) socróidh an tAire luach saothair agus seal oifige an mhaoir;
(b) féadfidh an tAire aon uair an maor do chur as oifig agus duine eile do cheapa chun bheith ina mhaor ina áit;
(c) de bhua an orduithe sin aistreofar chun an mhaoir airgead agus sócmhainní, fiachaisí, oifigigh, cirt, comhachta, agus dualgaisí uile an choiste scurtha agus dílseoid sa mhaor, is leis a bhainfid no íocfa sé no cólíonfa sé iad;
(d) íocfar costaisí an mhaoir (ar a n-áirítear a luach saothair féin) fé mar a héilítear leis an Acht so costaisí an choiste scurtha d'íoc;
(e) féadfidh an tAire aon uair le hordú an maor do chur as oifig agus a ordú go gceapfar fén Acht so coiste freastal scoile nua do líomatáiste fhreastal scoile an mhaoir sin agus airgead agus sócmhainní eile, fiachaisí, oifigigh, cirt, comhachta, agus dualgaisí an mhaoir do thabhairt thar n-ais don choiste sin, no, le haontú an Aire Dlí agus Cirt, a fhaisnéis go mbainfidh an tAcht so leis an líomatáiste freastal scoile sin fé is ná beadh sé suidhte i gcontae-bhuirg no i mbailecheanntar a luaidhtear sa Sceideal a ghabhann leis an Acht so.
(4) Má dhineann an tAire ordú fén alt so á fhaisnéis go mbainfidh an tAcht so le líomatáiste freastal scoile fé is ná beadh an líomatáiste sin suidhte i gcontae-bhuirg no i mbailecheanntar a luaidhtear sa Sceideal a ghabhann leis an Acht so, beidh éifeacht ag na forálacha so a leanas, sé sin le rá:—
(a) bainfidh an tAcht so leis an líomatáiste sin do réir na faisnéise sin;
(b) de bhua an orduithe sin déanfar airgead agus sócmhainní agus fiachaisí an choiste a scuireadh no an mhaoir a cuireadh as oifig (pe'ca aca é) d'aistriú chun na comhairle agus do dhílsiú sa chomhairle d'íocadh costaisí an choiste no an mhaoir sin fén Acht so no íocfidh an chomhairle sin iad;
(c) tuigfar gur cuireadh as oifig de bhua an orduithe sin oifigigh an choiste a scuireadh no an mhaoir a cuireadh as oifig (pe'ca aca é) agus maidir leis an gcomhairle chun ar haistríodh airgead an choiste sin a scuireadh no an mhaoir sin a cuireadh as oifig—
(i) beidh acu i dtaobh oifigeach inphinsin an choiste sin a scuireadh no an mhaoir sin a cuireadh as oifig na comhachta céanna aois-líuntasaíochta a bronntar leis an Acht so ar choiste fhreastal scoile i dtaobh oifigeach an choiste sin, agus
(ii) íocfid le hoifigigh neamh-inphinsin an choiste sin a scuireadh no an mhaoir sin a cuireadh as oifig cúiteamh do réir scála a shocróidh an tAire Rialtais Áitiúla agus Sláinte Puiblí tar éis do dul i gcomhairle leis an Aire Oideachais ach ní raghaidh an cúiteamh san in aon chás thar an deichiú cuid de thuarastal bhliantúil an oifigigh in aghaidh gach bliana críochnuithe dá sheirbhís agus an tuarastal san d'áireamh do réir ráta an tuarastail a bhí ag an oifigeach á fháil nuair a scuireadh an coiste no a cuireadh an maor as oifig (pe'ca aca é);
(d) as an ráta no as an gciste as a bhfuil costaisí coiste fhreastal scoile le n'íoc fén Acht so isea a híocfar gach costas fé n-a raghaidh comhairle do réir an fho-ailt seo.
(5) Má bhíonn coiste freastal scoile a ceapadh fén Irish Education Act, 1892, agus gur cheart dóibh fén Acht so bheith mar chéad choiste freastal scoile do líomatáiste fhreastal scoile, gan bheith ar bith no gan bheith có-dhéanta sa cheart i dtosach feidhme an Achta so, tuigfar chun crícheanna an ailt seo go dtáinig an chéad choiste freastal scoile sin chun bheith ann fén Acht so agus féadfidh an tAire aon uair tar éis rithte an Achta so a áireamh ná fuil an coiste sin ag cólíona a ndualgaisí fén Acht so go cuibhe agus go héifeachtúil agus féadfar iad do scur fén alt so dá réir sin.
Tabharfidh príomh-oidí cuntaisí áirithe, etc., uatha.
15.—(1) Déanfidh príomh-oide gach scoile náisiúnta agus gach scoile oiriúnaí eile go mbeidh aon leanbhaí le n-a mbaineann an tAcht so ar an rolla ionta no á bhfreastal na mion-innste orduithe ar gach leanbh acu a bheidh as láthair ón scoil sin, agus na mioninnste ar na nea-láithreachtaí sin, do chur in úil ar na tráthanna orduithe agus sa tslí orduithe d'údaráis fheidhmiúcháin fé seach na líomatáistí freastal scoile uile agus fé seach ina gcomhnuíonn na leanbhaí sin fé seach.
(2) Nuair a héileofar air é soláthróidh príomh-oide gach scoile náisiúnta no scoile oiriúnaí eile d'aon údarás feidhmiúcháin, sa bhfuirm orduithe, aoiseanna fé seach na leanbhaí uile no aon leinbh a bheidh ar an scoil sin fé mar a bheid curtha síos sna rollaí scoile maraon leis na mion-innste orduithe ar a mhinicí a bhí gach leanbh no aon leanbh díobh san, le n-a mbaineann an tAcht so, i láthair agus as láthair sa scoil sin.
(3) Nuair a déanfar leanbh le n-a mbaineann an tAcht so do thógaint o scoil náisiúnta no o scoil oiriúnach eile, tabharfidh príomh-oide na scoile sin do thuismitheoir an leinbh sin, nuair a héileofar air é, deimhniú sa bhfuirm orduithe á rá cadé an tréimhse ina raibh an leanbh san ar an scoil sin, cá mhéid uair a bhí an leanbh san i láthair agus as láthair sa scoil sin i rith na coda orduithe den tréimhse sin, agus cadé an rang sa scoil ina raibh an leanbh chun a theagasctha díreach sarar tógadh ón scoil é, agus taisbeánfidh tuismitheoir an leinbh an deimhniú san do phríomh-oide aon scoile náisiúnta no scoile oiriúnaí eile go mbeidh sé á iarraidh go nglacfí an leanbh isteach inti.
(4) I dtosach gach ráithe dar tosach an 1adh lá d'Eanair, an 1adh lá d'Abrán, an 1adh lá d'Iúl, no an 1adh lá de Dheire Fomhair, déanfidh príomh-oide gach scoile náisiúnta no scoile oiriúnaí eile ainmneacha agus seolta na leanbhaí uile a bheidh ag freastal na scoile sin agus a shlánóidh aois a gceithre mblian ndéag i rith na ráithe sin do thabhairt do Rúnaí an Choiste Chomhairle um Shóisir don áit ina bhfuil an scoil suidhte no, mara mbeidh aon choiste den tsórt san ann, don oifigeach áitiúil don Aire Tionnscail agus Tráchtála is goire dho.
An tuismitheoir do chur fáth na nealáithreachta in úil.
16.—Má bhíonn leanbh le n-a mbaineann an tAcht so ag freastal scoile náisiúnta no scoile oiriúnaí eile de thuras na huaire do réir an Achta so ach go mbeidh sé as láthair ón scoil sin aon lá no laetheanta ba cheart do, fén Acht so, bheith sa scoil sin cuirfidh a thuismitheoir fáth na nea-láithreachta san in úil do phríomh-oide na scoile sin i scríbhinn no i bpearsain chó luath agus is féidir é agus, pé scéal é, ar dháta nách déanaí ná an tríú lá tar éis lá na nea-láithreachta san no tar éis an chéad lae de laetheanta na nealáithreachta san (fé mar a bheidh).
Tuismitheoir do dhéanamh faillí i gcólíona an Achta so.
17.—(1) Mara ndinidh tuismitheoir a chur fé ndeár do leanbh leis le n-a mbaineann an tAcht so dul ar scoil do réir an Achta so no má thugann sé faillí sa ní sin agus gan aon leathscéal réasúnta ann, go bhfios d'údarás fheidhmiúcháin an líomatáiste fhreastail scoile ina gcomhnuíonn an leanbh, i dtaobh gan san do dhéanamh no i dtaobh na faillí sin, seirbheálfidh an t-údarás feidhmiúcháin sin ar an tuismitheoir sin foláramh sa bhfuirm orduithe—
(a) á éileamh air go ndéanfadh sé laistigh de sheachtain tar éis na seirbheála san a chur fé ndeár don leanbh leis a hainmnítear sa bhfoláramh dul ar scoil do réir an Achta so no go ndéanfadh sé laistigh den tseachtain sin leathscéal réasúnta do thabhairt don údarás fheidhmiúcháin i dtaobh gan san a dhéanamh, agus
(b) á innsint do, mara ndine sé beart do réir an fholáraimh, go mbunófar imeachta ina choinnibh fén Acht so sa Chúirt Dúithche, agus
(c) á innsint do má ráiníonn do arís, laistigh de thrí mhí tar éis na n-imeacht san, gan an tAcht so do chólíona, go bhféadfar imeachta do bhunú ina choinnibh arís gan foláramh roimh ré.
(2) Má bhíonn tuismitheoir gan beart do dhéanamh do réir foláraimh a seirbheáladh air go cuibhe fén alt so, beidh sé ciontach i gcionta fén alt so mara gcuire sé ina luighe ar an gCúirt gur dhin sé gach iarracht réasúnta chun a chur fé ndeár don leanbh dul ar scoil do réir an Achta so agus dlighfar fíneáil na raghaidh thar fiche scilling do chur air má sé an chéad chionta aige é, agus fíneáil ná raghaidh thar dachad scilling má sé an dara cionta aige é no aon chionta ina dhiaidh sin (pe'ca i dtaobh an leinbh chéanna no i dtaobh leinbh eile a dineadh é).
(3) Más rud é, gan leathscéal réasúnta, go ráineoidh do thuismitheoir, laistigh de thrí mhí tar éis a chiontuithe i gcionta fén alt so, gan a chur fé ndeár don leanbh leis gur ciontuíodh é amhlaidh ina thaobh dul ar scoil do réir an Achta so, ansan, mara mbeidh an leanbh san tar éis scur de bheith ina leanbh le n-a mbaineann an tAcht so, beidh an tuismitheoir sin ciontach i gcionta fén alt so (cionta a tuigfar, chun crícheanna an ailt seo, a bheith ina athchionta fén alt so) agus ar a chiontú ann ar an slí achmair dlighfar fíneáil ná raghaidh thar dachad scilling do chur air.
(4) In aon imeachta i gcoinnibh tuismitheora fén alt so má chuireann an tuismitheoir ina luighe ar an gcúirt gur dhin sé gach iarracht réasúnta chun a chur fé ndeár don leanbh le n-a mbaineann na himeachta dul ar scoil do réir an Achta so no má ciontuítear an tuismitheoir in ath-chionta no i gcionta ina dhiaidh sin fén alt so i dtaobh an leinbh chéanna, féadfidh an chúirt más oiriúnach léi é—
(a) a ordú go gcuirfar an leanbh chun scoile saothair atá deimhnithe agus sa chás san, sa mhéid gur féidir é, bainfidh forálacha Chuid IV. den Children Act, 1908, leis an scéal fé is dá mba fén gCuid sin den Acht san a déanfí an t-ordú, no
(b) a ordú, do réir forálacha Chuid II. den Children Act san 1908, go gcuirfar an leanbh fé chúram gaoil do no duine oiriúnaigh éile a ainmneoidh an chúirt, agus sa chás san, sa mhéid gur féidir é, bainfidh forálacha na Coda san den Acht san leis an scéal fé is dá mba ordú a déanfí fén gCuid sin an t-ordú.
Forálacha ilghnéitheacha i dtaobh cúisithe fén Acht.
18.—(1) In aon chúiseamh i gcionta fén Acht so, féadfidh an chúirt 'na mbeidh an cúiseamh á dhéanamh ina láthair a ordú, ar iarratas ón gcúisitheoir no ón té a bheidh á chúiseamh no uaithi féin, go ndéanfidh tuismitheoir an leinbh le n-a mbaineann an cúiseamh an leanbh san do thabhairt i láthair na cúirte am áirithe agus in áit áirithe, agus mara dtugaidh an tuismitheoir sin an leanbh san i láthair amhlaidh féadfidh an chúirt fíneáil ná raghaidh thar fiche scilling do chur ar an tuismitheoir sin.
(2) In aon chúiseamh i gcionta fén Acht so is ar an té a cúiseofar a bheidh éinní acu so a leanas i dtaobh an leinbh le n-a mbaineann an cúiseamh do chruthú, sé sin le rá:—
(a) aois an leinbh,
(b) go raibh leathscéal réasúnta ann i dtaobh gan an leanbh do bheith i láthair ar scoil do réir an Achta so aon lá áirithe no ar feadh aon tréimhse áirithe,
(c) go bhfuil an leanbh ag fáil bun-oideachais oiriúnaigh i slí éigin eile seachas tré bheith ag freastal scoile náisiúnta no scoile oiriúnaí eile.
(3) In aon chúiseamh i gcionta fén Acht so, beidh deimhniú a dheabróidh bheith sighnithe ag príomh-oide scoile náisiúnta no scoile oiriúnaí eile agus ina ndeirtar go bhfuil no ná fuil an leanbh le n-a mbaineann an cúiseamh ag freastal na scoile sin no go raibh no ná raibh an leanbh san i láthair sa scoil sin laethanta áirithe, beidh sé ina fhianaise, go dtí go gcruthófar a mhalairt, ar pé ní de sna nithe roimhráite adeirtar sa deimhniú san.
(4) In aon chúiseamh i gcionta fén Acht so, beidh deimhniú a dheabhróidh bheith sighnithe ag dochtúir atá cáilithe go cuibhe agus ina ndeirtar go bhfuil no go raibh aon uair áirithe aicíd no lot áirithe cuirp no intinne ar an leanbh le n-a mbaineann an cúiseamh agus go raibh an aicíd no an lot san de shaghas d'fhág an leanbh gan bheith i bhfuirm chun dul ar scoil, no go bhfuil no go raibh aicíd no lot áirithe cuirp no intinne ar dhuine éigin a chomhnuíonn sa tigh ina gcomhnuíonn an leanbh san, beidh sé ina fhianaise, go dtí go gcruthófar a mhalairt, ar pé ceann de sna dátáin roimhráite adeirtar sa deimhniú san.
(5) In aon chúiseamh i gcionta fén Acht so féadfidh an chúirt a ordú, maidir leis na costaisí fé n-ar chuaidh an cúisitheoir no an duine a cúisíodh, i dtaobh an chúisimh sin, go ndéanfidh an duine a cúisíodh no an cúisitheoir (fé mar is gá sa chás) iad d'íoc, agus féadfa sí méid na gcostaisí sin do shocrú.
(6) I líomatáiste freastal scoile atá suidhte i gcontae-bhuirg no i mbailecheanntar a luaidhtear sa Sceideal a ghabhann leis an Acht so, féadfar cúiseamh i gcionta fén Acht so do chur ar siúl ar agra aon oifigigh fhreastal scoile sa líomatáiste mar chúisitheoir agus in aon líomatáiste freastal scoile eile féadfar é chur ar siúl ar agra údaráis fheidhmiúcháin an líomatáiste mar chúisitheoir.
Cláracha beireataisí agus básanna d'iniúcha agus cóipeanna do dhéanamh díobh.
19.—(1) Gach ceann-chlárathóir no clárathóir beireataisí agus básanna no duine eile go mbeidh i gcimeád aige na leabhair chlárathachta a cimeádtar do réir na Births and Deaths Registration Acts (Ireland), 1863 to 1880, leigfe sé d'aon oifigeach freastal scoile gach tráth réasúnta, gan aon táille ná íocaíocht eile, na leabhair chlárathachta a bheidh i gcimeád ag an gceann-chlárathóir sin d'iniúcha agus cóipeanna no nótaí do thógaint d'iontrála sna leabhair sin fé mar is dó leis is gá chun a dhualgaisí d'fheidhmiú fén Acht so.
(2) Má theastuíonn o éinne aois leinbh d'fháil amach no do chruthú chun aon chríche a eireoidh fén Acht so, beidh teideal ag an duine sin chun iarratas sa bhfuirm orduithe ar dheimhniú ar dháta bheirthe an leinbh sin d'fháil o údarás fheidmiúcháin an líomatáiste fhreastal scoile ina gcomhnuíonn an leanbh san agus, nuair a thíolacfa sé an t-iarratas san, agus é líonta agus sighnithe go cuibhe, maraon le táille raelach, in oifig an cheann-chlárathóra no an cheart-chlárathóra bheireataisí agus básanna, beidh teideal aige chun cóip den iontráil, sna leabhair chlárathachta a cimeádtar fé sna Births and Deaths Registration Acts (Ireland), 1863 to 1880, ar bhreith an leinbh sin d'fháil ón gceann-chlárathóir no ón gclárathóir sin agus í deimhnithe go cuibhe fé sna hAchtanna san.
(3) Fé mar éileoidh agus nuair éileoidh údarás feidhmiúcháin air é, soláthróidh gach clárathóir beireataisí agus básanna don údarás san cuntas sa bhfuirm orduithe (más ann di) ar pé cinn adéarfidh an t-údarás san de sna mion-innste ar bheireataisí agus ar bhásanna na leanbhaí do chláruigh an clárathóir sin.
Tuismitheoirí do thabhairt mion-innste uatha i dtaobh a leanbhaí.
20.—Gach éinne ar a n-éileofar é le fógra i scríbhinn sa bhfuirm orduithe o údarás feidhmiúcháin an líomatáiste fhreastal scoile ina gcomhnuíonn sé, fógra do sheirbhéail an t-údarás san air no d'fhág an t-údarás san do ina áit chomhnaithe, tabharfa sé don údarás fheidhmiúcháin sin, laistigh den aimsir agus sa tslí a luaidhtear sa bhfógra san, ainmneacha agus aoiseanna na leanbhaí uile no aon leinbh áirithe dar tuismitheoir do réir bhrí an Achta so é agus, ina theanta san (i gcás leanbhaí le n-a mbaineann an tAcht so), modh a n-oideachais agus na mion-innste eile a luaidhtear sa bhfógra san, agus má bhíonn éinne den tsórt san gan san do dhéanamh beidh sé ciontach i gcionta fén alt so agus ar a chiontú ann ar an slí achmair dlighfar fíneáil ná raghaidh thar fiche scilling do chur air.
Deimhniú ar dhílse foláramh, fógraí, etc.
21.—Lasmuich de chásanna dá bhforáltar a mhalairt go soiléir leis an Acht so is leor mar dheimhniú ar dhílse gach foláraimh, fógra agus scríbhinne eile a tabharfar amach no a seirbheálfar fén Acht so ag údarás feidhmiúcháin sighniú oifigigh fhreastal scoile don údarás san do bheith ortha.
Ciontaí maidir le deimhnithe.
22.—(1) Gach éinne a dhéanfidh samhail fhallsa no bhréagach d'aon deimhniú no d'aon tsighniú ar dheimhniú do bheadh ina dheimhniú a tugadh no a dineadh fén Acht so no chun críche an Achta so dá mba dheimhniú dílis é, beidh sé ciontach i mí-iompar agus ar a chiontú ann dlighfar príosúntacht, i dteanta no d'éamais daor-oibre, do chur air ar feadh aon téarma nách sia ná dhá bhliain.
(2) Gach éinne a shighneoidh, a thabharfidh uaidh, no a dhéanfidh aon deimhniú a dheabhruíonn bheith ina dheimhniú fén Acht so no chun críche an Achta so agus is eol do bheith bréagach, no mí-threorach in aon phonc táchtach, no a dhéanfidh úsáid d'aon deimhniú a dheabhruíonn bheith ina dheimhniú fén Acht so no chun críche an Achta so agus is eol do bheith ina shamhail fhallsa no bhréagach no bheith bréagach no mí-threorach in aon phonc táchtach no gurb eol do aon tsighniú air do bheith ina shamhail fhallsa no bhréagach, beidh sé ciontach i gcionta fén alt so agus ar a chiontú ann ar an slí achmair dlighfar fíneáil ná raghaidh thar caoga punt do chur air no, más rogha leis an gcúirt é, príosúntacht ar feadh aon téarma nách sia ná sé mhí.
Rialacháin.
23.—Féadfidh an tAire, le hordú éinní no aon rud d'ordú dá dtagartar san Acht so mar ní no mar rud atá orduithe no le hordú.
Baint an Achta so do leathanú.
24.—(1) Féadfidh an tAire o am go ham, le hordú, forálacha an Achta so do chur i mbaint le leanbhaí no le haon aicme de leanbhaí go bhfuil ceithre bliana déag d'aois slán acu agus gan a sé bliana déag d'aois slán fós acu.
(2) Le haon ordú agus in aon ordú a dhéanfidh an tAire fén alt so féadfa sé gach ní no éinní acu so a leanas do dhéanamh, sé sin le rá:—
(a) teora do chur i dtreo ná bainfidh an t-ordú ach le páirt áirithe de Shaorstát Éireann;
(b) teora do chur i dtreo ná bainfadh an t-ordú ach le freastal ar scoil i gcóir teagaisc in aon abhar no abhair áirithe;
(c) aon leanbhaí no aicme de leanbhaí d'eisceachtú o oibriú an orduithe;
(d) aon cheann d'fhorálacha an Achta so d'eisceachtú o oibriú an orduithe;
(e) oiriúnuithe agus atharuithe do dhéanamh ar fhorálacha an Achta so ina mbaint leis na leanbhaí no leis an aicme de leanbhaí le n-a mbainfidh an t-ordú fé mar is dó leis an Aire is gá chun crícheanna bainte sin na bhforálacha;
(f) aon ordú a dineadh roimhe sin fén alt so do leathnú, do shriana, do leasú, no do cheiliúra.
(3) Má dhineann an tAire ordú fén alt so ag cur forálacha an Achta so i mbaint le leanbhaí no le haon aicme de leanbhaí go n-údaruítear leis an alt so iad do chur i mbaint leo, bainfidh forálacha an Achta so leis na leanbhaí sin no leis an aicme sin de leanbhaí fé réir agus do réir téarmaí an orduithe faid a leanfidh an t-ordú i bhfeidhm.
(4) Gach ordú a dhéanfidh an tAire fén alt so leagfar é fé bhráid gach Tighe den Oireachtas chó luath agus is féidir é tar éis a dhéanta, agus má dhineann aon Tigh acu san, laistigh den lá is fiche a shuidhfidh an Tigh sin ina dhiaidh sin, rún do rith ag cur an orduithe sin ar nea-mbrí, beidh an t-ordú san ar neambrí dá réir sin ach beidh san gan dochar do dhleathacht éinní a dineadh roimhe sin fén ordú san.
Costaisí.
25.—Sa mhéid go gceadóidh an tAire Airgid é is amach as airgead a sholáthróidh an tOireachtas a híocfar costaisí an Achta so do chur i bhfeidhm ach amháin mar a foráltar a mhalairt leis an Acht so.
Athghairmeanna agus forálacha dá mbarr san.
26.—(1) Athghairmtear leis seo ailt 1 go 16 agus an Chéad, an Dara agus an Tríú Sceideal den Irish Education Act, 1892, agus alt 2 den Irish Education Act, 1893.
(2) An méid de sna Irish Education Acts, 1892 and 1893, ná hathghairmtear leis an alt so ná le haon achtachán roimhe seo, léireofar é agus beidh éifeacht aige fé is dá gcuirtí an focal “The Minister for Education” ann in ionad an fhocail “The Commissioners” i ngach áit ina bhfuil an focal deiridh sin ann.
(3) Díreach tar éis tosach feidhme an Achta so tuigfar gach coiste freastal scoile a ceapadh fén Irish Education Act, 1892, agus a bheidh ann i dtosach feidhme an Achta so do bheith scurtha agus, lasmuich de chásanna dá bhforáltar a mhalairt leis an Acht so, aistreofar, de bhua an Achta so, airgead agus sócmhainní eile agus fiachaisí gach coiste den tsórt san chun na comhairle no an chóluchta d'íocadh costaisí an choiste sin fén Acht san agus dílseoid sa dream san agus glanfidh an dream san iad.
(4) Díreach tar éis tosach feidhme an Achta so, na hoifigigh a bheidh ann an uair sin, ag gach coiste freastal scoile a ceapadh fén Irish Education Act, 1892, agus a bheidh ann i dtosach feidhme an Achta so, tuigfar, ach amháin mar a foráltar a mhalairt leis an Acht so, iad do bheith curtha as a n-oifigí fé seach agus déanfidh an chomhairle no an cólucht d'íocadh costaisí an choiste sin fén Acht san cúiteamh d'íoc leo do réir scála a shocróidh an tAire Rialtais Áitiúla agus Sláinte Puiblí tar eis do dul i gcomhairle leis an Aire Oideachais ach ní raghaidh an cúiteamh, in aon chás, thar an deichiú cuid de thuarastal bhliantúil an oifigigh in aghaidh gach bliana críochnuithe dá sheirbhís agus an tuarastal san d'áireamh do réir ráta an tuarastail a bhí ag an oifigeach á fháil an 1adh lá de Mhí na Samhna, 1925.
(5) Déanfar gach costas fé n-a raghaidh comhairle no cólucht i bhfeidhmiú an ailt seo d'íoc as an ráta no as an gciste gcéanna as a n-íocadh an chomhairle no an cólucht san costaisí an choiste fhreastal scoile.
Gearr-theideal agus tosach feidhme.
27.—(1) Féadfar an tAcht Freastal Scoile, 1926, do ghairm den Acht so.
(2) Tiocfidh an tAcht so i ngníomh pé lá a shocróidh an tAire chuige sin le hordú go generálta no i dtaobh aon altanna áirithe no d'aon líomatáistí no ceanntracha áirithe agus féadfar laetheanta difriúla do cheapa amhlaidh d'altanna difriúla den Acht so no do líomatáistí no do cheanntracha difriúla.
SCEIDEAL.
Contae-bhuirg Chorcaighe.
Contae-bhuirg Bhaile Atha Cliath.
Contae-bhuirg Luimnigh.
Contae-bhuirg Phortláirge.
Bailecheanntar na Carraige Duibhe.
Bailecheanntar Dhún Laoghaire.
Bailecheanntar Rátha Maonas agus Rátha Ghairbh.
Bailecheanntar Phembróc.
Number 17 of 1926.
SCHOOL ATTENDANCE ACT, 1926.
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
Section | |
Appointment of school attendance committees for certain areas. | |
Act Referred to | |
No. 5 of 1925 | |
Number 17 of 1926.
SCHOOL ATTENDANCE ACT, 1926.
Definitions.
1.—In this Act—
the expression “the Minister” means the Minister for Education;
the expression “national school” means a public elementary day school for the time being recognised by the Minister as a national school;
the expression “suitable school” means a school for the time being certified by the Minister under this Act to be a suitable school within the meaning of this Act;
the expression “national or other suitable school” includes both national school and suitable school;
the expression “principal teacher” includes any deputy-principal or other teacher for the time being acting as or for a principal teacher;
the word “parent” in relation to a child means the person having the legal custody of the child and, where owing to the absence of such person or for any other reason the child is not living with or is not in the actual custody of such person, includes the person with whom the child is living or in whose actual custody the child is;
the word “employment” in relation to a child means employment and occupation in any labour exercised by way of trade or for the purpose of gain to the child or to any other person;
the word “sickness” includes any physical or mental malady or injury;
the word “prescribed” means prescribed by the Minister by order made under this Act;
the expression “offence under this Act” includes an offence under any section or sub-section of this Act;
the expression “commencement of this Act” means the date on which the section in which the expression is used comes into operation by virtue of an order made by the Minister under this Act and where such section so comes into operation on different dates in different areas or districts means in relation to any such area or district the date on which such section so comes into operation in such area or district.
Application of this Act.
2.—In this Act, the expression “child to whom this Act applies” means and includes a child who has attained the age of six years and has not attained the age of fourteen years, and every other child to whom this Act is for the time being applied by virtue of an order made by the Minister under the power in that behalf hereinafter conferred on him.
Date of attainment of any particular age.
3.—For the purposes of this Act a child shall be deemed to attain any particular age on whichever of the following days, that is to say, the 31st day of March, the 30th day of June, the 30th day of September, or the 31st day of December first occurs after the anniversary of his birth on which he actually attains such age.
Obligation to attend school.
4.—(1) The parent of every child to whom this Act applies shall, unless there is a reasonable excuse for not so doing, cause the child to attend a national or other suitable school on every day on which such school is open for secular instruction and for such time on every such day as shall be prescribed or sanctioned by the Minister in respect of such day.
(2) Any of the following shall be a reasonable excuse for failure to comply with this section, that is to say:—
(a) that the child has been prevented from attending school by the sickness of the child;
(b) that the child is receiving suitable elementary education in some manner other than by attending a national or other suitable school;
(c) that there is not a national or other suitable school accessible to the child which the child can attend and to which the parent of the child does not object on religious grounds to send the child;
(d) that the child has been prevented from attending school by some other sufficient cause.
(3) Until the year 1936 the following shall also be a reasonable excuse for failure to comply with this section on not more than ten days during the period beginning on the 17th day of March and ending on the 15th day of May next following in any year in respect of a child who has attained the age of twelve years, that is to say, that the child has been prevented from attending school by reason of his having been engaged in light agricultural work for his parent on his parent's land.
(4) Until the year 1936 the following shall also be a reasonable excuse for failure to comply with this section on not more than ten days during the period beginning on the 1st day of August and ending on the 15th day of October next following in any year in respect of a child who has attained the age of twelve years, that is to say, that the child has been prevented from attending school by reason of his having been engaged in light agricultural work for his parent on his parent's land.
(5) A school shall be deemed to be accessible to a child for the purposes of this section if, but only if, either:—
(a) the school is situate, in the case of a child who has not attained the age of ten years, within two miles measured from the child's residence along the shortest way lawfully and conveniently available for him or, in the case of a child who has attained the age of ten years within three miles similarly measured; or
(b) there is a suitable means of conveyance to the school available for the child from a point within a reasonable distance from the child's residence.
Certification of suitable schools.
5.—(1) The Minister may if and when he so thinks fit by a certificate in the prescribed form certify any particular school to be a suitable school within the meaning of this Act for the attendance of children to whom this Act applies for the purpose of receiving elementary education, and the Minister may at any time as and when he thinks fit revoke any such certificate.
(2) The Minister may make or cause to be made such reasonable inquiries, investigations, and inspections as he shall think proper for the purpose of satisfying himself whether any particular school is or is not, or does or does not continue to be fit to be certified as a suitable school.
(3) For the purpose aforesaid, any officer of the Minister duly authorised by him in that behalf may at all reasonable times enter any suitable school or any school in respect of which an application to be certified as a suitable school has been made to the Minister and there make such inquiries, investigations, and inspections as he shall think proper.
(4) Every manager and conductor of and every teacher in any such school as aforesaid and every parent of a child attending such school shall to the best of his ability answer such questions and furnish such information as shall be reasonably asked or required of him for the purpose aforesaid by an officer of the Minister duly authorised in that behalf by the Minister.
School attendance area to which child belongs.
6.—(1) For the purpose of this Act a child to whom this Act applies shall be deemed to belong to the school attendance area in which he is ordinarily resident.
(2) If and whenever the ordinary residence of a child to whom this Act applies is changed from one school attendance area to another school attendance area, the parent of the child shall within one week after the change give notice in writing or in person of the change to the enforcing authority of the school attendance area from which such residence has been changed and also to the enforcing authority of the school attendance area to which such residence has been changed.
(3) If any person shall fail to give such notice as is mentioned in the foregoing sub-section to any enforcing authority to whom he is required by the said sub-section to give the same he shall be guilty of an offence under this section, and shall be liable on summary conviction thereof to a fine not exceeding ten shillings.
(4) The parent of a child to whom this Act applies may transfer the child from one national school to another national school at any time either with the consent of the Minister or when the transfer is made because of a change of the ordinary residence of the child, but in any other case a child to whom this Act applies shall only be transferred from one national school to another national school on or at the first opportunity after one of the following days, that is to say, the 1st day of January, the 1st day of April, the 1st day of July, or the 1st day of October.
Restriction on employment of children.
7.—(1) In addition and without prejudice to any other lawful prohibition of or restriction on the employment of children, the Minister may by order make regulations for prohibiting the employment of children to whom this Act applies at such times or places or in such manner as to prevent or interfere with their attendance at school in accordance with this Act or their obtaining proper benefit from such attendance, and in particular may, in furtherance of that object, by such regulations prohibit or restrict the employment of such children in particular occupations or during particular hours.
(2) Any person who employs a child in contravention of a regulation made under this section shall be guilty of an offence under this section, and shall be liable on summary conviction thereof, in the case of a first offence to a fine not exceeding forty shillings, and, in the case of a second or any subsequent offence, to a fine not exceeding five pounds.
(3) Regulations made under this section shall not prevent any child who immediately before the commencement of this Act is in lawful employment from continuing in such employment or prevent the exercise of manual labour by a child lawfully detained in a certified industrial or reformatory school or the receipt by any child of instruction in manual labour in any school.
(4) Every regulation made under this section shall be laid before each House of the Oireachtas as soon as may be after it is made, and if a resolution is passed by either such House within the next subsequent twenty-one days on which that House has sat annulling such regulation such regulation shall be annulled accordingly but without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done under such regulation.
The enforcing authority.
8.—(1) The enforcing authority for the purposes of this Act shall be—
(a) in every school attendance area situate in a county borough or urban district mentioned in the Schedule to this Act, the school attendance committee appointed under this Act for that area; and
(b) in every school attendance area not situate in any of the said county boroughs or urban districts, the officer of the Gárda Síochána for the time being holding the rank and occupying the station prescribed in that behalf by the order constituting or defining the area.
(2) It shall be the duty of every enforcing authority to keep the prescribed registers and records for the purposes of this Act, and to permit such registers and records to be inspected at all reasonable times by officers of the Minister duly authorised in that behalf by the Minister.
Constitution of school attendance areas.
9.—(1) As soon as may be after the passing of this Act, the Minister, after consultation with the Minister for Justice, shall by one or more orders divide the whole of Saorstát Eireann (except the county boroughs and urban districts mentioned in the Schedule to this Act) into school attendance areas and may from time to time by order vary (by amalgamation, division, or alteration of boundaries of areas) such division.
(2) Every order made under this section shall prescribe the rank and station of the respective officers of the Gárda Síochána, who are to be the enforcing authorities in the several areas to which the order relates.
(3) Every officer of the Gárda Síochána who is an enforcing authority under this Act may exercise all or any of his functions as such enforcing authority by or through any one or more of the members of the Gárda Síochána under his command and every member of the Gárda Síochána by or through whom such functions are so exercised shall be a school attendance officer for the purposes of this Act.
Appointment of school attendance committees for certain areas.
10.—(1) Each of the county boroughs and urban districts mentioned in the Schedule to this Act shall be a school attendance area, but the council of any of the said county boroughs and urban districts may at any time, subject to the approval of the Minister, divide such borough or district into two or more school attendance areas.
(2) In every school attendance area in the said county boroughs and urban districts there shall be a school attendance committee and the first school attendance committee in each of the said school attendance areas shall consist of the persons who immediately before the commencement of this Act were members of the school attendance committee appointed under the Irish Education Act, 1892, for that area and such persons shall hold office as members of the said first school attendance committee until the time prescribed by the Minister under this section for the commencement of the term of office of their successors.
(3) The members of each school attendance committee in the said school attendance areas (other than the members of the first school attendance committee and members appointed to fill casual vacancies) shall be appointed triennially at such times as shall be prescribed by the Minister under this section and shall (unless they previously die, resign or are removed) hold office for three years from the time prescribed by the Minister under this section for the commencement of their term of office.
(4) Every school attendance committee (other than the first school attendance committee) in each of the said school attendance areas shall, if a Juvenile Advisory Committee established by or under the control of the Minister for Industry and Commerce exists in the school attendance area at the time of a triennial appointment of members, consist of eleven members during the succeeding triennial period, and shall, if no such Juvenile Advisory Committee exists in the area at the time of such triennial appointment, consist of ten members during the succeeding triennial period.
(5) Of the members of a school attendance committee appointed under this section, each one of five members shall, so far as such persons are available, be either a manager or a patron of a national or other suitable school in the school attendance area, and one other member shall be a teacher in a national or other suitable school in the school attendance area, and, when the committee consists of eleven members, one other member shall be a member of the Juvenile Advisory Committee in the school attendance area.
(6) Five members of every school attendance committee appointed under this section shall be appointed by the Minister, and at least one of the members so appointed shall be a teacher in a national or other suitable school in the school attendance area.
(7) When a school attendance committee appointed under this section consists of ten members, five of such members shall be appointed by the council of the county borough or urban district in which the school attendance area is situated, of which five members one at least shall be a manager or a patron of a national or other suitable school in the school attendance area, and when the school attendance committee consists of eleven members six of such members shall be appointed by the said council, of which six members one at least shall be such manager or patron as aforesaid and one other shall be a member of the Juvenile Advisory Committee in the school attendance area.
(8) The Minister, after consultation with the Minister for Local Government and Public Health, may by order prescribe the times and mode of appointment of members of school attendance committees by the councils of the said county boroughs and urban districts and by the Minister respectively, the time of commencement of the period of office of the members of such committees, the time and mode of filling casual vacancies in such committees and the period of office of persons appointed to fill such vacancies, and the times of meeting, quorum, conduct of business, and keeping of accounts of such committees.
(9) An officer of the Minister duly authorised in that behalf by the Minister shall be entitled to be present at any meeting of a school attendance committee and to address such committee, but not to vote, on any matter under consideration by the committee at such meeting.
Officers of school attendance committees.
11.—(1) Subject to the provisions of this section every school attendance committee for a school attendance area in any of the county boroughs and urban districts mentioned in the Schedule to this Act may, subject to the approval of the council of the county borough or urban district and the sanction of the Minister, appoint and remove such officers as it thinks proper and subject to the sanction and approval aforesaid may fix and pay the remuneration of such officers.
(2) For the purposes of Part IV. of the Local Government Act, 1925 (No. 5 of 1925) (which relates to the superannuation of the officers of a local body), every school attendance committee shall be deemed to be a committee of a local authority and to be a local body within the meaning of the said Part IV. of the said Act, and the provisions of the said Part IV. shall in so far as the same are applicable apply to a school attendance committee and their officers in like manner as they apply to a committee of a local authority and their officers subject to the following modifications, that is to say:—
(a) the grant by a school attendance committee of any allowance or gratuity shall be subject to the approval of the council of the county borough or urban district by which the expenses of such school attendance committee are defrayed; and
(b) in the case of an officer of a school attendance committee appointed under the Irish Education Act, 1892, who becomes an officer of a school attendance committee under this Act, such officer's service under the former committee shall be reckoned as service under the latter committee.
(3) The Minister may at any time at his discretion remove any officer of any such school attendance committee as aforesaid.
(4) Every person who immediately before the commencement of this Act is an officer of a school attendance committee appointed under the Irish Education Act, 1892, for a school attendance area situate in a county borough or urban district mentioned in the Schedule to this Act shall immediately upon the commencement of this Act become and be an officer of the school attendance committee under this Act for that school attendance area as if he had been appointed under this section by the last-mentioned committee.
(5) No person shall be appointed by a school attendance committee to be an officer of such committee unless he possesses such qualifications as shall be prescribed by the Minister for Education, after consultation with the Minister for Local Government and Public Health, as the necessary qualifications for such officer of such committee.
School attendance officers.
12.—(1) Every school attendance committee may by appointment in writing in the prescribed form signed by two members of the committee appoint such of its officers as it thinks fit to be school attendance officers for the purposes of this Act.
(2) Every school attendance officer appointed under this section shall, when exercising any authority or power under this Act as such officer, produce on demand and show his appointment as such officer to any person in relation to whom he is exercising such authority or power.
(3) A document produced by a person claiming to be a school attendance officer and represented by him to be his appointment as such officer and purporting on its face to be such appointment and to be duly made and signed under and in accordance with this section shall, until the contrary is proved, be evidence that such person is such school attendance officer.
Expenses of school attendance committees.
13.—(1) The expenses of every school attendance committee for a school attendance area situate in a county borough or urban district mentioned in the Schedule to this Act shall be defrayed by the council of such county borough or urban district out of the like rate as that out of which the expenses of a school attendance committee appointed under the Irish Education Act, 1892, were defrayed under section 74 of the Local Government (Ireland) Act, 1898.
(2) Immediately upon the commencement of this Act all the moneys and other assets and the liabilities of every school attendance committee appointed under the Irish Education Act, 1892 for a school attendance area situate in a county borough or urban district mentioned in the Schedule to this Act shall be transferred to and received or discharged (as the case may require) by the school attendance committee under this Act for such school attendance area.
Minister may dissolve school attendance committees.
14.—(1) If and whenever the Minister is satisfied that a school attendance committee is not duly and effectually discharging its duties under this Act or has refused or wilfully neglected to comply with any provision of this Act or of the regulations made thereunder, the Minister may by order dissolve such committee and shall by such order either:—
(a) appoint a person (in this section called a supervisor) to discharge the duties of such committee, or
(b) with the consent of the Minister for Justice, declare that this Act shall apply to the school attendance area of such committee as if such area was not situate in a county borough or urban district mentioned in the Schedule to this Act, or
(c) make such other provision as he may think proper for the discharge of the duties of such committee.
(2) Whenever the Minister could under the foregoing sub-section dissolve a school attendance committee he may, in lieu of dissolving such committee and making the consequential provisions mentioned in the foregoing sub-section, by order remove from such committee all or any of the members thereof, and whenever any such order is made the vacancies on such committee caused by such removal shall be deemed to be casual vacancies and shall be filled accordingly.
(3) Whenever the Minister by an order under this section appoints a supervisor the following provisions shall have effect, that is to say:—
(a) the remuneration and tenure of office of the supervisor shall be fixed by the Minister;
(b) the Minister may at any time remove the supervisor and appoint another person to be supervisor in his place;
(c) all the moneys and assets, liabilities, officers, rights, powers, and duties of the dissolved committee shall by virtue of such order be transferred to and shall vest in, be attached to, or be discharged or performed by the supervisor;
(d) the expenses of the supervisor (including his own remuneration) shall be defrayed in like manner as the expenses of the dissolved committee are required by this Act to be defrayed;
(e) the Minister may by order at any time remove the supervisor and either order the appointment under this Act of a new school attendance committee for the school attendance area of such supervisor and restore to such committee the moneys and other assets, liabilities, officers, rights, powers, and duties of the supervisor, or, with the consent of the Minister for Justice, declare that this Act shall apply to such school attendance area as if it was not situate in a county borough or urban district mentioned in the Schedule to this Act.
(4) Whenever the Minister makes an order under this section declaring that this Act shall apply to a school attendance area as if such area was not situate in a county borough or urban district mentioned in the Schedule to this Act the following provisions shall have effect, that is to say:—
(a) this Act shall apply to such area in accordance with such declaration;
(b) the moneys and assets and the liabilities of the dissolved committee or removed supervisor (as the case may be) shall by virtue of such order be transferred to and vested in or discharged by the council by whom the expenses of such committee or supervisor were defrayed under this Act;
(c) the officers of the dissolved committee or removed supervisor (as the case may be) shall be deemed to have been removed by virtue of such order from office and the council to whom the moneys of such dissolved committee or removed supervisor are transferred—
(i) shall have in respect of the pensionable officers of such dissolved committee or removed supervisor the like powers of superannuation as are conferred by this Act on a school attendance committee, in respect of the officers of such committee, and
(ii) shall pay to the non-pensionable officers of such dissolved committee or removed supervisor compensation in accordance with a scale to be fixed by the Minister for Local Government and Public Health after consultation with the Minister for Education, but not exceeding in any case one-tenth of the annual salary of the officer for every completed year of his service, such salary being calculated at the rate of the salary of which the officer was in receipt at the time of the dissolution of the committee or removal of the supervisor (as the case may be);
(d) all expenses incurred by a council in pursuance of this sub-section shall be defrayed out of the rate or fund out of which the expenses of a school attendance committee are to be defrayed under this Act.
(5) Whenever a school attendance committee appointed under the Irish Education Act, 1892, which should under this Act become the first school attendance committee of a school attendance area is at the commencement of this Act either not in existence or not properly constituted, such first school attendance committee shall for the purposes of this section be deemed to have come into existence under this Act and may be deemed by the Minister at any time after the passing of this Act not to be discharging its duties under this Act duly and effectually and may be dissolved under this section accordingly.
Principal teachers to make certain returns, etc.
15.—(1) The principal teacher of every national and other suitable school at which any children to whom this Act applies are enrolled or attending shall communicate at the prescribed times and in the prescribed manner to the respective enforcing authorities of the several school attendance areas in which such children respectively reside the prescribed particulars of every such child who is absent from such school and the prescribed particulars of such absences.
(2) The principal teacher of every national or other suitable school shall on demand supply in the prescribed form to any enforcing authority the respective ages as stated in the school registers of all or any of the children attending such school and the prescribed particulars of the attendances at and absences from such school of all or any of those children who are children to whom this Act applies.
(3) When a child to whom this Act applies is removed from a national or other suitable school, the principal teacher of such school shall on demand give to the parent of such child a certificate in the prescribed form stating the period during which such child was attending such school, the number of attendances and absences of such child at or from such school during the prescribed portion of such period, and the class in the school in which the child was placed for instruction immediately before his removal from the school, and the parent of the child shall exhibit such certificate to the principal teacher of any national or other suitable school to which he applies for the admission of the child.
(4) The principal teacher of every national or other suitable school shall, at the beginning of every quarter commencing on the 1st day of January, the 1st day of April, the 1st day of July, or the 1st day of October, furnish to the Secretary of the Juvenile Advisory Committee for the place where the school is situate or, if there is no such committee, to the nearest local officer of the Minister for Industry and Commerce the names and addresses of all children attending the school who will attain the age of fourteen years during such quarter.
Parent to notify cause of absence.
16.—Whenever a child to whom this Act applies is for the time being attending a national or other suitable school in accordance with this Act but is absent from such school on any day or days on which he should under this Act attend such school, his parent shall as soon as possible and in any event not later than the third day after the day or the first of the days (as the case may be) of such absence communicate in writing or in person to the principal teacher of such school the cause of such absence.
Failure of parent to comply with this Act.
17.—(1) Whenever a parent fails or neglects to cause his child to whom this Act applies to attend school in accordance with this Act and, so far as is known to the enforcing authority of the school attendance area in which the child resides, there is no reasonable excuse for such failure or neglect, such enforcing authority shall serve on such parent a warning in the prescribed form—
(a) requiring him within one week after such service either to cause his child named in the warning to attend school in accordance with this Act or to give to the enforcing authority a reasonable excuse for not so doing, and
(b) informing him that in the event of his failing to comply with the warning proceedings will be instituted against him under this Act in the District Court, and
(c) informing him that if within three months after such proceedings he again fails to comply with this Act further proceedings may be instituted against him without previous warning.
(2) If a parent does not comply with a warning duly served on him under this section, he shall, unless he satisfies the Court that he has used all reasonable efforts to cause the child to attend school in accordance with this Act, be guilty of an offence under this section and shall be liable in the case of a first offence to a fine not exceeding twenty shillings and in the case of a second or subsequent offence (whether in relation to the same or another child) to a fine not exceeding forty shillings.
(3) Whenever a parent within three months after being convicted of an offence under this section, fails without reasonable excuse to cause his child in respect of whom he was so convicted to attend school in accordance with this Act, such parent shall, unless the child has ceased to be a child to whom this Act applies, be guilty of an offence under this section (which shall for the purposes of this section be deemed to be a second offence under this section) and shall be liable on summary conviction thereof to a fine not exceeding forty shillings.
(4) If in any proceedings against a parent under this section the parent satisfies the court that he has used all reasonable efforts to cause the child to whom the proceedings relate to attend school in accordance with this Act or the parent is convicted of a second or subsequent offence under this section in respect of the same child, the court if it thinks fit may—
(a) order the child to be sent to a certified industrial school, in which case the provisions of Part IV of the Children Act, 1908 so far as applicable shall apply as if the order had been made under that Part of that Act, or
(b) in accordance with the provisions of Part II. of the said Children Act, 1908 order the committal of the child to the care of a relative or other fit person named by the court, and in such case the provisions of that Part of that Act shall, so far as applicable, apply as if the order were an order made thereunder.
Miscellaneous provisions as to prosecutions under the Act.
18.—(1) In any prosecution for an offence under this Act, the court before which the prosecution is brought may, on the application of the prosecutor or the person prosecuted or on its own motion, order the parent of the child to whom the prosecution relates to produce such child before the court at a specified time and place, and in the event of such parent failing so to produce such child the court may inflict on such parent a fine not exceeding twenty shillings.
(2) In any prosecution for an offence under this Act the burden of proof of any of the following matters in relation to the child to whom the prosecution relates shall lie on the person prosecuted, that is to say:—
(a) the age of the child,
(b) that there was a reasonable excuse for the non-attendance of the child at a school in accordance with this Act on any particular day or during any particular period,
(c) that the child is receiving suitable elementary education in some manner other than by attending a national or other suitable school.
(3) In any prosecution for an offence under this Act, a certificate purporting to be signed by the principal teacher of a national or other suitable school stating that the child to whom the prosecution relates is or is not attending that school or stating that such child did or did not attend that school on particular days shall, until the contrary is proved, be evidence of such of the matters aforesaid as are stated in such certificate.
(4) In any prosecution for an offence under this Act, a certificate purporting to be signed by a duly qualified medical practitioner that the child to whom the prosecution relates is or was at any specified time suffering from a specified physical or mental malady or injury and that such malady or injury was of such a nature as to render the child unfit to attend school, or that some person residing in the house in which such child resides is or was suffering from a specified physical or mental malady or injury shall, until the contrary is proved, be evidence of such of the facts aforesaid as are stated in such certificate.
(5) In any prosecution for an offence under this Act the court may order the costs incurred in relation to such prosecution by the prosecutor or the person prosecuted to be paid by the person prosecuted or the prosecutor (as the case may require) and may fix the amount of such costs.
(6) A prosecution for an offence under this Act may in a school attendance area situate in a county borough or urban district mentioned in the Schedule to this Act, be prosecuted at the suit of any school attendance officer in the area as prosecutor, and may in any other school attendance area, be prosecuted at the suit of the enforcing authority of the area as prosecutor.
Inspection and copies of registers of births and deaths.
19.—(1) Every superintendent registrar or registrar of births and deaths or other person having the custody of the register books kept in accordance with the Births and Deaths Registration Acts (Ireland), 1863 to 1880 shall at all reasonable times permit any school attendance officer without any fee or other payment to inspect the register books in the custody of such superintendent registrar and to take such copies or notes of entries in such books as he shall deem necessary for the purpose of the execution of his duties under this Act.
(2) Whenever any person requires to ascertain or prove for any purpose arising under this Act the age of a child such person shall be entitled to obtain from the enforcing authority of the school attendance area in which such child resides a requisition in the prescribed form for a certificate of the date of the birth of such child and shall, on presenting such requisition duly filled up and signed together with a fee of sixpence at the office of the superintendent registrar or appropriate registrar of births and deaths, be entitled to be supplied by such superintendent registrar or registrar with a copy duly certified under the Births and Deaths Registration Acts (Ireland), 1863 to 1880 of the entry in the register books kept under those Acts of the birth of such child.
(3) Every registrar of births and deaths shall as and when so required by an enforcing authority furnish to such authority a return in the prescribed form (if any) of such of the particulars as shall be specified by such authority of the births and deaths of children registered by such registrar.
Parents to furnish particulars of their children.
20.—Every person required so to do by notice in writing in the prescribed form served on or left for him at his residence by the enforcing authority of the school attendance area in which he resides shall furnish to such enforcing authority within the time and in the manner specified in such notice the names and ages, and (in the case of children to whom this Act applies) the mode of education and other particulars specified in such notice of all the children or any specified child of whom he is the parent within the meaning of this Act, and if any such person shall fail so to do he shall be guilty of an offence under this section and shall be liable on summary conviction thereof to a fine not exceeding twenty shillings.
Authentication of warnings, notices, etc.
21.—All warnings, notices, and other documents issued or served under this Act by an enforcing authority shall, save as otherwise expressly provided by this Act, be sufficiently authenticated by the signature thereon of a school attendance officer of that authority.
Offences in relation to certificates.
22.—(1) Every person who forges or counterfeits any certificate or any signature to a certificate which if genuine would be a certificate given or made under or for the purpose of this Act shall be guilty of a misdemeanour and shall be liable on conviction thereof to suffer imprisonment with or without hard labour for any term not exceeding two years.
(2) Every person who signs, gives, or makes any certificate purporting to be a certificate under or for the purpose of this Act which is to his knowledge false or misleading in any material particular, or who makes use of any certificate purporting to be a certificate under or for the purpose of this Act which is to his knowledge forged or counterfeited or is false or misleading in any material particular or any signature to which is to his knowledge forged or counterfeited shall be guilty of an offence under this section and shall be liable on summary conviction thereof to a fine not exceeding fifty pounds or, at the discretion of the court, to imprisonment for any term not exceeding six months.
Regulations.
23.—The Minister may by order prescribe any matter or thing which is in this Act referred to as prescribed or to be prescribed.
Extension of application of this Act.
24.—(1) The Minister may by order from time to time apply the provisions of this Act to children or any class of children who have attained the age of fourteen years and have not attained the age of sixteen years.
(2) The Minister may by and in any order made by him under this section do all or any of the following things, that is to say:—
(a) limit the application of the order to any particular part of Saorstát Eireann;
(b) limit the application of the order to attendance at school for instruction in one or more specified subjects;
(c) except any children or class of children from the operation of the order;
(d) except any of the provisions of this Act from the operation of the order;
(e) make such adaptations and modifications of the provisions of this Act in their application to the children or class of children to which the order relates as the Minister shall think necessary for the purposes of such application;
(f) extend, restrict, amend, or revoke any previous order made under this section.
(3) Whenever the Minister makes an order under this section applying the provisions of this Act to children or any class of children authorised by this section, the provisions of this Act shall apply to such children or class of children subject to and in accordance with the terms of the order for so long as the order continues in force.
(4) Every order made by the Minister under this section shall be laid before each House of the Oireachtas as soon as may be after it is made, and if a resolution is passed by either such House within the next subsequent twenty-one days on which that House has sat annulling such order, such order shall be annulled accordingly but without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done under such order.
Expenses.
25.—Save as is otherwise provided by this Act, the expenses of carrying this Act into effect shall, to such extent as shall be sanctioned by the Minister for Finance, be paid out of moneys to be provided by the Oireachtas.
Repeals and provisions consequent thereon.
26.—(1) Sections 1 to 16 and the First, Second and Third Schedules of the Irish Education Act, 1892 and section 2 of the Irish Education Act, 1893 are hereby repealed.
(2) So much of the Irish Education Acts, 1892 and 1893 as is not repealed by this section or any previous enactment shall be construed and have effect as if the expression “The Minister for Education” were inserted therein in lieu of the expression “the Commissioners” wherever the latter expression occurs therein.
(3) Immediately upon the commencement of this Act every school attendance committee appointed under the Irish Education Act, 1892 and existing at the commencement of this Act shall be deemed to be dissolved and, save as is otherwise provided by this Act, the moneys and other assets and the liabilities of every such committee shall by virtue of this Act be transferred to and vest in and be discharged by the council or body by which the expenses of such committee were defrayed under that Act.
(4) Immediately upon the commencement of this Act the officers then existing of every school attendance committee appointed under the Irish Education Act, 1892 and existing at the commencement of this Act shall, save as is otherwise provided by this Act, be deemed to have been removed from their respective offices and shall be paid by the council or body by which the expenses of such committee were defrayed under that Act compensation in accordance with a scale to be fixed by the Minister for Local Government and Public Health after consultation with the Minister for Education but not exceeding in any case one-tenth of the annual salary of the officer for every completed year of his service, such salary being calculated at the rate of salary of which the officer was in receipt on the 1st day of November, 1925.
(5) All expenses incurred by a council or body in the execution of this section shall be defrayed out of the like rate or fund as that out of which the expenses of the school attendance committee were defrayed by such council or body.
Short title and commencement.
27.—(1) This Act may be cited as the School Attendance Act, 1926.
(2) This Act shall come into operation on such day as may be fixed for the purpose by the Minister by order either generally or with reference to any particular sections or for any particular areas or districts and different days may be so appointed for different sections of this Act or for different areas or districts.
SCHEDULE.
The County Borough of Cork.
The County Borough of Dublin.
The County Borough of Limerick.
The County Borough of Waterford.
Blackrock Urban District.
Dun Laoghaire Urban District.
Rathmines and Rathgar Urban District.
Pembroke Urban District.