As Ann Déscrolláil
Cuir Déscrolláil ar siúl chun an dá leagan a scrolláil le chéile.
Uimhir 51 de 1998
AN tACHT OIDEACHAIS, 1998
RIAR NA nALT
Réamhráiteach agus Ginearálta
Alt | |
1. | |
2. | |
3. | |
4. | |
5. | |
6. | |
7. |
Scoileanna
8. | |
9. | |
10. | |
11. | |
12. |
An Chigireacht
13. |
Boird Bhainistíochta
14. | |
15. | |
16. | |
17. | |
18. | |
19. | |
20. | |
21. |
An Príomhoide agus na Múinteoirí
22. | |
23. | |
24. |
Ilghnéitheach
25. | |
26. | |
27. | |
28. | Nósanna imeachta maidir le gearáin agus nósanna imeachta eile. |
29. | |
30. | |
31. | |
32. | |
33. | |
34. | |
35. | |
36. | |
37. |
An Chomhairle Náisiúnta Curaclaim agus Measúnachta
38. | |
39. | |
40. | |
41. | |
42. | |
43. | |
44. | |
45. | |
46. | |
47. | |
48. |
Scrúduithe
49. | |
50. | |
51. | |
52. | |
53. |
Comhlachtaí Corpraithe.
54. | Comhlachtaí a bhunú chun seirbhísí a bhaineann le hoideachas a sholáthar. |
55. | |
56. | |
57. | |
58. | |
59. |
An Chomhairle
Scrúduithe
Na hAchtanna dá dTagraítear | |
Na hAchtanna Uchtála, 1952 go 1998 | |
Achtanna na Leanaí, 1908 go 1989 | |
An tAcht um Chúram Leanaí, 1991 | 1991, Uimh. 17 |
Achtanna Rialaithe na Státseirbhíse, 1956 go 1996 | |
An tAcht um Thoghcháin do Pharlaimint na hEorpa, 1997 | 1997, Uimh. 2 |
Na hAchtanna um Chaomhnóireacht Leanaí, 1964 go 1997 | |
Na hAchtanna Sláinte, 1947 go 1996 | |
Intermediate Education (Ireland) Act, 1878 | 1878, 41 & 42 Vic. c. 66 |
Na hAchtanna Oideachais Idirmheánaigh (Éirinn), 1878 go 1924 | |
An tAcht um Bainistíocht na Seirbhíse Poiblí, 1997 | 1997, Uimh. 27 |
Na hAchtanna Ceardchumann, 1871 go 1990 | |
Uimhir 51 de 1998
AN tACHT OIDEACHAIS, 1998
[An tiontú oifigiúil]
ACHT DO DHÉANAMH SOCRÚ AR MHAITHE LE LEAS AN PHOBAIL MAIDIR LE hOIDEACHAS GACH DUINE SA STÁT, LENA nÁIRÍTEAR AON DUINE AR A bhFUIL MÍCHUMAS NÓ AG A bhFUIL RIACHTANAIS SPEISIALTA EILE OIDEACHAIS, AGUS DO DHÉANAMH SOCRÚ I gCOITINNE MAIDIR LE BUNOIDEACHAS, IAR-BHUNOIDEACHAS, OIDEACHAS AOSACH AGUS LEANÚNACH, AGUS GAIRMOIDEACHAS AGUS GAIRMOILIÚINT; DÁ ÁIRITHIÚ GO bhFUIL AN CÓRAS OIDEACHAIS CUNTASACH DO MHIC LÉINN, DÁ dTUISMITHEOIRÍ AGUS DON STÁT AS AN OIDEACHAS A SHOLÁTHRAÍTEAR, GO nURRAMAÍONN SÉ AN ÉAGSÚLACHT LUACHANNA, CREIDEAMH, TEANGACHA AGUS TRAIDISIÚN I SOCHAÍ NA hÉIREANN AGUS GO STIÚRTAR É LE MEON COMHPHÁIRTÍOCHTA IDIR SCOILEANNA, PÁTRÚIN, MIC LÉINN, TUISMITHEOIRÍ, MÚINTEOIRÍ AGUS FOIREANN EILE SCOILE, AN POBAL DÁ bhFÓNANN AN SCOIL AGUS AN STÁT; DO DHÉANAMH SOCRÚ MAIDIR LE SCOILEANNA AGUS A mBAINISTÍOCHT A AITHINT AGUS A MHAOINIÚ TRÍ BHOIRD BHAINISTÍOCHTA; DO DHÉANAMH SOCRÚ MAIDIR LE CIGIREACHT SCOILEANNA; DO DHÉANAMH SOCRÚ MAIDIR LE RÓL AGUS FREAGRACHTAÍ PRÍOMHOIDÍ AGUS MÚINTEOIRÍ; DO BHUNÚ NA COMHAIRLE NÁISIÚNTA CURACLAIM AGUS MEASÚNACHTA AGUS DO DHÉANAMH SOLÁTHAIR DI, AGUS DO DHÉANAMH SOCRÚ I dTAOBH NITHE GAOLMHARA. [23 Nollaig, 1998]
ACHTAÍTEAR AG AN OIREACHTAS MAR A LEANAS:
CUID I
Réamhráiteach agus Ginearálta
Gearrtheideal agus tosach feidhme.
1.—(1) Féadfar an tAcht Oideachais, 1998, a ghairm den Acht seo.
(2) Faoi réir fho-alt (3), tiocfaidh an tAcht seo i ngníomh cibé lá nó laethanta a shocrófar, le hordú nó le horduithe a dhéanfaidh an tAire faoin alt seo, i gcoitinne nó faoi threoir aon chríche, feidhme, forála nó aicme scoile áirithe agus féadfar laethanta éagsúla a shocrú amhlaidh chun críoch éagsúil, nó le haghaidh feidhmeanna nó forálacha éagsúla, den Acht seo nó le haghaidh aicmí éagsúla scoileanna.
(3) Tiocfaidh an tAcht seo i ngníomh i leith aon chríche, feidhme, forála nó aicme scoile, nach mbeidh ordú faoi fho-alt (2) déanta ag an Aire faoina treoir, dhá bhliain tar éis dháta a rite.
(4) Déanfaidh an tAire, a luaithe is indéanta tar éis dheireadh na chéad bhliana agus dheireadh an dara bliain tar éis dháta rite an Achta seo, tuarascáil a ullmhú maidir le cur i ngníomh an Achta, agus cuirfidh sé nó sí faoi deara cóipeanna den tuarascáil a leagan faoi bhráid gach Tí den Oireachtas.
(5) Féadfar na hAchtanna Oideachais, 1878 go 1998, a ghairm de na hAchtanna Oideachais Idirmheánaigh (Éirinn), 1878 go 1924, agus den Acht seo le chéile agus forléireofar le chéile iad mar aon ní amháin.
Léiriú.
2.—(1) San Acht seo, ach amháin mar a n-éilíonn an comhthéacs a mhalairt—
ciallaíonn “airteagail bhainistíochta” aon ionstraimí, a bhaineann le hoibriú agus bainistíocht scoileanna, a bheidh i ngníomh ar thosach feidhme an Achta seo agus a bheidh comhaontaithe ó am go ham ag pátrúin scoileanna, ag cumainn náisiúnta tuismitheoirí agus ag ceardchumainn aitheanta agus comhlachais foirne atá ionadaitheach do mhúinteoirí;
ciallaíonn “bord” bord bainistíochta a bhunófar faoi alt 14;
ciallaíonn “lárionad oideachais” áit, seachas scoil nó áit a chuireann oideachas ollscoile nó oideachas tríú leibhéal eile ar fáil, ina gcuirtear oideachas aosach nó leanúnach nó gairmoideachas nó gairmoiliúint ar fáil agus atá ainmnithe chun na críche sin faoi alt 10(4);
ciallaíonn “spiorad sainiúil” an spiorad sainiúil dá dtagraítear in alt 15(2)(b);
ciallaíonn “Comhairle” an comhlacht a bhunófar faoi alt 39;
déanfar “curaclam” a fhorléiriú de réir alt 30;
ciallaíonn “míchumas”—
(a) feidhmeanna coirp nó meabhrach duine a bheith caillte go hiomlán nó go páirteach, lena n-áirítear cuid de chorp duine a bheith caillte, nó
(b) orgánaigh atá nó is dóigh a bheidh ina dtrúig galair nó tinnis ainsealaigh a bheith sa chorp, nó
(c) mífheidhmiú, anchuma nó máchailiú cuid de chorp duine, nó
(d) riocht nó mífheidhmiú a bhfuil de thoradh air go bhfoghlaimíonn duine ar shlí éagsúil le duine nach bhfuil an riocht nó an mífheidhmiú air nó uirthi, nó
(e) riocht, tinneas nó galar a fhearann ar phróisis smaointe duine, ar aireachtáil na réaltachta ag duine, ar mhothúcháin nó ar bhreithiúnas duine, nó a bhfuil iompraíocht shuaite de thoradh air;
tá le “míbhuntáiste oideachasúil” an bhrí a shanntar le halt 32(9);
tá le “scrúdú” an bhrí a shanntar dó le halt 49;
folaíonn “feidhmeanna” cumhachtaí agus dualgais;
ciallaíonn “limistéar Gaeltachta” limistéar a mbeidh cinnte de thuras na huaire le hordú arna dhéanamh faoi alt 2 den Acht Airí agus Rúnaithe (Leasú), 1956, gur limistéar Gaeltachta é;
ciallaíonn “Cigire” comhalta den Chigireacht;
ciallaíonn “Cigireacht” an Chigireacht a cheapfar faoi alt 13;
ciallaíonn “Aire” an tAire Oideachais agus Eolaíochta;
ciallaíonn “cumann náisiúnta tuismitheoirí” cumann nó comhlacht eile daoine arna bhunú ag tuismitheoirí ag a bhfuil cuspóirí lena n-áirítear a bheith ionadaitheach do thuairimí agus do leasanna tuismitheoirí maidir le hoideachas agus cabhrú le tuismitheoirí a gcearta agus a ról a fheidhmiú i bpróiseas oideachais a gcuid leanaí, agus ar cumann nó comhlacht é—
(a) atá bunaithe agus eagraithe ar bhonn náisiúnta agus a bhfuil comhaltaí de i gcuid shubstaintiúil den Stát, agus
(b) atá aitheanta de thuras na huaire ag an Aire chun críocha an Achta seo, lena n-áirítear an Chomhairle Náisiúnta Tuismitheoirí - Bunbhrainse agus an Chomhairle Náisiúnta Tuismitheoirí (Iarbhunoideachas) Teoranta, ar comhlachtaí iad atá aitheanta amhlaidh de thuras na huaire;
ciallaíonn “an Chomhairle Náisiúnta Curaclaim agus Measúnachta” an comhlacht a bhunófar de réir alt 39;
folaíonn “tuismitheoir” tuismitheoir altrama, caomhnóir arna cheapadh nó arna ceapadh faoi na hAchtanna um Chaomhnóireacht Leanaí, 1964 go 1997, nó duine eile a bheidh ag gníomhú in loco parentis agus a bhfuil leanbh faoina chúram nó faoina cúram faoi réir aon chumhachta reachtúla nó ordaithe cúirte agus, i gcás linbh a uchtaíodh faoi na hAchtanna Uchtála, 1952 go 1998, nó, i gcás gur uchtaíodh an leanbh lasmuigh den Stát, ciallaíonn sé an t-uchtaitheoir nó na huchtaitheoirí nó an t-uchtaitheoir marthanach;
ciallaíonn “cumann tuismitheoirí” cumann a bhfuil feidhm ag alt 26 maidir leis;
tá le “pátrún” an bhrí a shanntar dó le halt 8;
ciallaíonn “forordaithe” forordaithe le rialacháin arna ndéanamh ag an Aire agus forléireofar focail ghaolmhara dá réir sin;
ciallaíonn “Príomhoide” duine a cheapfar faoi alt 23;
ciallaíonn “scoil aitheanta” scoil atá aitheanta ag an Aire de réir alt 10;
ciallaíonn “eagraíochtaí aitheanta bainistíochta scoile” na comhlachtaí sin a bhunófar chun bheith ionadaitheach do leasanna daoine atá ag gabháil do bhainistíocht scoileanna agus atá aitheanta ag an Aire chun críocha an Achta seo;
ciallaíonn “ceardchumann aitheanta” ceardchumann arna cheadúnú faoi na hAchtanna Ceardchumann, 1871 go 1990, agus atá aitheanta chun críocha comhchomhairle;
ciallaíonn “scoil” bunachas—
(a) ina gcuirtear bunoideachas ar fáil dá chuid mac léinn agus inar féidir freisin go bhfuil oideachas luath-óige á chur ar fáil, nó
(b) ina gcuirtear iar-bhunoideachas ar fáil dá chuid mac léinn agus inar féidir freisin go bhfuil cúrsaí á gcur ar fáil in oideachas aosach, oideachas leanúnach nó gairmoideachas nó i ngairmoiliúint,
ach ní fholaíonn sé scoil nó foras a bheidh bunaithe de réir Achtanna na Leanaí, 1908 go 1989, ná scoil nó foras a bheidh bunaithe nó faoi chothabháil ag bord sláinte de réir na nAchtanna Sláinte, 1947 go 1996, nó an Achta um Chúram Leanaí, 1991;
tá le “plean scoile” an bhrí a shanntar dó le halt 21(1);
ciallaíonn “seachtain scoile” an tréimhse ama i rith seachtaine nuair a bhíonn scoil ar oscailt chun mic léinn a ghlacadh;
ciallaíonn “scoilbhliain” cibé tréimhse dhá mhí dhéag, dar tosach lá idir an chéad lá d'Iúil agus an chéad lá de Dheireadh Fómhair in aon bhliain, a fhorordóidh an tAire ó am go ham, i gcoitinne nó i leith aon scoile nó aicme scoile;
ciallaíonn “riachtanais speisialta oideachais” riachtanais oideachais mac léinn atá faoi mhíchumas agus riachtanais oideachais mac léinn a bhfuil cumas eisceachtúil iontu;
ciallaíonn “mac léinn”, i ndáil le scoil, duine atá rollaithe sa scoil agus, i ndáil le lárionad oideachais, ciallaíonn sé duine atá cláraithe mar mhac léinn sa lárionad sin;
ciallaíonn “seirbhísí taca” na seirbhísí a chuireann an tAire ar fáil do mhic léinn nó dá dtuismitheoirí, do scoileanna nó do lárionaid oideachais de réir alt 7 agus folóidh sé aon cheann nó gach ceann de na nithe seo a leanas:
(a) mic léinn a mheasúnú;
(b) seirbhísí síceolaíochta;
(c) seirbhísí treorach agus comhairliúcháin;
(d) cúnamh agus trealamh teicniúil, lena n-áirítear modhanna rochtana chuig scoileanna, oiriúnuithe ar fhoirgnimh chun rochtain a éascú agus iompar, do mhic léinn a bhfuil riachtanais speisialta acu agus dá dteaghlaigh;
(e) soláthar le haghaidh mac léinn atá ag foghlaim trí mheán theanga chomharthaíochta na hÉireann nó teanga comharthaíochta eile, lena n-áirítear seirbhísí ateangaireachta;
(f) seirbhísí teiripe urlabhra;
(g) soláthar le haghaidh oideachais luath-óige, bunoideachais, iar-bhunoideachais, oideachais aosaigh nó oideachais leanúnaigh do mhic léinn a bhfuil riachtanais speisialta acu, ar shlí seachas i scoileanna nó i lárionaid oideachais;
(h) seirbhísí leasa múinteoirí;
(i) seirbhísí iompair;
(j) seirbhísí leabharlainne agus meán;
(k) seirbhísí cothabhála scoile;
(l) scrúduithe dá bhforáiltear i gCuid VIII;
(m) seirbhísí taca curaclaim agus seirbhísí comhairleacha foirne, agus
(n) cibé seirbhísí eile a shonraítear leis an Acht seo nó is cuí leis an Aire;
folaíonn “múinteoir” Príomhoide;
ciallaíonn “coiste gairmoideachais” coiste arna bhunú le halt 7 den Acht Oideachais Ghairme Beatha, 1930.
(2) (a) San Acht seo aon tagairt do Chuid, d'alt nó do Sceideal, is tagairt í do Chuid nó d'alt den Acht seo nó do Sceideal a ghabhann leis an Acht seo, mura gcuirtear in iúl gur tagairt d'Acht éigin eile atá beartaithe.
(b) San Acht seo, aon tagairt d'fho-alt, do mhír nó d'fhomhír, is tagairt í d'fho-alt, do mhír nó d'fhomhír den fhoráil ina bhfuil an tagairt, mura gcuirtear in iúl gur tagairt d'fhoráil éigin eile atá beartaithe.
(3) Aon tagairt san Acht seo do chomhlíonadh feidhmeanna, folaíonn sí, i leith cumhachtaí agus dualgas, tagairt d'fheidhmiú cumhachtaí agus do chomhall dualgas.
Caiteachais.
3.—Déanfar aon chaiteachais a thabhóidh an tAire ag riaradh an Achta seo a íoc, a mhéid a cheadóidh an tAire Airgeadais é, as airgead a sholáthróidh an tOireachtas.
Fógraí a sheirbheáil.
4.—I gcás ina n-údaraítear nó ina gceanglaítear leis an Acht seo nó faoi, nó le rialacháin nó faoi rialacháin arna ndéanamh faoin Acht seo, fógra, ordachán nó doiciméad eile a sheirbheáil ar dhuine, déanfar, mura sonraítear a mhalairt san Acht seo, é a dhíriú chuig an duine agus a sheirbheáil ar an duine nó a thabhairt don duine ar cheann amháin de na slite seo a leanas—
(a) i gcás é a bheith dírithe chuig an duine faoina ainm nó faoina hainm, trína sheachadadh ar an duine, nó
(b) trína fhágáil ag an seoladh ag a bhfuil gnáthchónaí ar an duine nó, i gcás go mbeidh seoladh le haghaidh seirbheála tugtha, ag an seoladh sin, nó
(c) trína chur leis an ngnáthphost réamhíoctha agus é dírithe chuig an duine ag an seoladh ag a bhfuil gnáthchónaí ar an duine nó, i gcás go mbeidh seoladh le haghaidh seirbheála tugtha, ag an seoladh sin.
Rialacháin agus orduithe a leagan.
5.—Déanfar gach rialachán agus gach ordú a dhéanfar faoin Acht seo a leagan faoi bhráid gach Tí den Oireachtas a luaithe is féidir tar éis a dhéanta agus má dhéanann ceachtar Teach acu sin, laistigh den 21 lá a shuífidh an Teach sin tar éis an rialachán nó an t-ordú a leagan faoina bhráid, rún a rith ag neamhniú an rialacháin nó an ordaithe, beidh an rialachán nó an t-ordú ar neamhní dá réir sin, ach sin gan dochar do bhailíocht aon ní a rinneadh roimhe sin faoin gcéanna.
Cuspóirí an Achta.
6.—Gach duine a mbeidh baint aige nó aici leis an Acht seo a chur i ngníomh, beidh aird aige nó aici ar na cuspóirí seo a leanas ar dá mbun a d'achtaigh an tOireachtas an tAcht seo:
(a) éifeacht phraiticiúil a thabhairt do chearta bunreachtúla leanaí, lena n-áirítear leanaí atá faoi mhíchumas nó a bhfuil riachtanais speisialta eile oideachais acu, mar a bhaineann siad le hoideachas;
(b) a fhoráil, a mhéid is indéanta agus ag féachaint do na hacmhainní atá ar fáil, go gcuirfear ar fáil do dhaoine a chónaíonn sa Stát leibhéal agus cáilíocht oideachais is cuí chun freastal ar riachtanais agus cumais na ndaoine sin;
(c) comhionannas rochtana ar an oideachas agus comhionannas rannpháirtíochta san oideachas a chur chun cinn agus chun na bealaí ina bhféadfaidh mic léinn tairbhe a bhaint as an oideachas a chur chun cinn;
(d) deiseanna a chur chun cinn d'aosaigh, go háirithe d'aosaigh nár bhain leas nó tairbhe as an oideachas i scoileanna agus iad ina leanaí, chun leas a bhaint as deiseanna oideachais trí oideachas aosach agus oideachas leanúnach;
(e) an ceart atá ag tuismitheoirí a leanaí a chur ar scoil is rogha leis na tuismitheoirí a chur chun cinn, ag féachaint do chearta pátrún agus d'úsáid éifeachtach agus éifeachtúil acmhainní;
(f) an cleachtas is fearr i modhanna múinteoireachta, ag féachaint do riachtanais éagsúla mac léinn agus d'fhorbairt scileanna agus inniúlachtaí múinteoirí, a chur chun cinn;
(g) idirchaidreamh agus comhchomhairle éifeachtach a chur chun cinn idir scoileanna agus lárionaid oideachais, pátrúin, múinteoirí, tuismitheoirí, na pobail dá bhfónann scoileanna, údaráis áitiúla, boird sláinte, daoine nó grúpaí daoine a bhfuil spéis ar leith acu in oideachas mac léinn ag a bhfuil riachtanais speisialta oideachais nó a bhfuil taithí acu ar oideachas den sórt sin, agus an tAire;
(h) cuidiú le réadú beartas agus cuspóirí náisiúnta oideachais;
(i) cuidiú le réadú beartas agus cuspóirí náisiúnta i ndáil le leathadh an dátheangachais i sochaí na hÉireann agus go háirithe go mbainfí úsáid níos mó as an nGaeilge ar scoil agus sa phobal;
(j) cuidiú leis an nGaeilge a choinneáil mar phríomhtheanga an phobail i limistéir Ghaeltachta;
(k) riachtanais teanga agus chultúrtha mac léinn a chur chun cinn ag féachaint do roghanna a dtuismitheoirí;
(l) cuntasacht an chórais oideachais a mhéadú, agus
(m) follasacht a mhéadú i dtaca le cinntí a dhéanamh sa chóras oideachais, ar bhonn áitiúil agus ar bhonn náisiúnta araon.
Feidhmeanna an Aire.
7.—(1) Is feidhm de chuid an Aire faoin Acht seo gach ceann de na nithe seo a leanas:
(a) a chinntiú, faoi réir fhorálacha an Achta seo, go gcuirfear ar fáil do gach duine a chónaíonn sa Stát, lena n-áirítear duine atá faoi mhíchumas nó a bhfuil riachtanais speisialta eile oideachais aige nó aici, seirbhísí taca agus leibhéal agus cáilíocht oideachais is cuí chun freastal ar riachtanais agus cumais an duine sin,
(b) an beartas náisiúnta oideachais a chinneadh, agus
(c) pleanáil agus comheagrú a dhéanamh—
(i) ar sholáthar an oideachais i scoileanna aitheanta agus i lárionaid oideachais, agus
(ii) ar sheirbhísí taca.
(2) Gan dochar do ghinearáltacht fho-alt (1), is feidhm de chuid an Aire gach ceann díobh seo a leanas:
(a) maoiniú a chur ar fáil do gach scoil aitheanta agus do gach lárionad oideachais agus seirbhísí taca a chur ar fáil do scoileanna aitheanta, do lárionaid oideachais, do mhic léinn, lena n-áirítear mic léinn atá faoi mhíchumas nó a bhfuil riachtanais speisialta eile oideachais acu, agus dá dtuismitheoirí, de réir mar is cuí leis an Aire agus de réir an Achta seo;
(b) faireachán agus measúnacht a dhéanamh ar cháilíocht, barainneacht, éifeachtúlacht agus éifeachtacht an chórais oideachais a chuireann scoileanna aitheanta agus lárionaid oideachais ar fáil sa Stát, ag féachaint do na cuspóirí dá bhforáiltear in alt 6, agus faisnéis a bhaineann leis an bhfaireachán agus leis an measúnacht sin a fhoilsiú i cibé modh is cuí leis an Aire;
(c) talamh nó foirgnimh a léasú le haon duine nó comhlacht daoine chun scoil a bhunú gan dochar do bhunú scoileanna ag pátrúin ar thalamh nó i bhfoirgnimh nach bhfuil léasaithe leo ag an Aire, scoileanna den sórt sin a mhéadú agus tuilleadh forbartha a dhéanamh orthu nuair a bheidh siad bunaithe agus na scoileanna sin a aithint de réir alt 10;
(d) seirbhísí taca trí Ghaeilge a sholáthar do scoileanna aitheanta a chuireann teagasc trí Ghaeilge ar fáil agus d'aon scoil aitheanta eile a iarrann soláthar den sórt sin;
(e) cibé feidhmeanna eile dá bhforáiltear go sonrach leis an Acht seo nó le haon achtachán eile a chomhlíonadh, agus
(f) na gníomhartha agus na nithe sin go léir is gá a dhéanamh ar mhaithe leis na cuspóirí ar dá mbun a achtaítear an tAcht seo.
(3) Beidh ag an Aire na cumhachtaí sin go léir is gá nó is fóirsteanach chun a fheidhmeanna nó a feidhmeanna a chomhlíonadh.
(4) Le linn don Aire a fheidhmeanna nó a feidhmeanna a chomhall—
(a) beidh aird aige nó aici ar na nithe seo a leanas—
(i) na hacmhainní atá ar fáil,
(ii) an soláthar le haghaidh oideachais agus oiliúna a dhéanann gníomhaireachtaí eile as cistí a sholáthraíonn an tOireachtas,
(iii) an gá atá ann éagsúlacht na seirbhísí oideachais a chuirtear ar fáil sa Stát a léiriú, agus
(iv) na cleachtais agus na traidisiúin a bhaineann le heagrú scoileanna nó grúpaí scoileanna atá ann ag tosach feidhme na Coda seo agus an ceart atá ag scoileanna a ngnóthaí féin a bhainistiú de réir an Achta seo agus de réir aon chairteacha, gníomhas, airteagal bainistíochta nó aon ionstraimí eile den sórt sin a bhaineann lena mbunú nó lena n-oibriú,
agus
(b) déanfaidh sé nó sí gach iarracht réasúnach dul i gcomhairle le pátrúin, le cumainn náisiúnta tuismitheoirí, le cumainn tuismitheoirí i scoileanna, le heagraíochtaí aitheanta bainistíochta scoile, le ceardchumainn aitheanta agus comhlachais foirne atá ionadaitheach do mhúinteoirí agus le cibé daoine eile a bhfuil spéis ar leith acu i nithe a bhaineann le hoideachas nó a bhfuil eolas acu maidir leis na nithe sin, lena n-áirítear daoine nó grúpaí daoine a bhfuil spéis ar leith acu in oideachas mac léinn ag a bhfuil riachtanais speisialta oideachais, nó a bhfuil taithí acu ar oideachas den sórt sin, de réir mar is cuí leis an Aire.
CUID II
Scoileanna
Pátrún scoile.
8.—(1) Measfar—
(a) gurb é nó gurb í an duine atá, ag tosach feidhme an ailt seo, aitheanta ag an Aire mar phátrún bunscoile, agus
(b) gurb iad na daoine atá, ag tosach feidhme an ailt seo, ceaptha mar iontaobhaithe nó mar bhord gobharnóirí iarbhunscoile agus, más rud é nach bhfuil aon iontaobhaithe nó aon bhord den sórt sin ann, gurb é nó gurb í úinéir na scoile sin,
an pátrún chun críocha an Achta seo agus déanfaidh an tAire ainm an duine nó na ndaoine sin, de réir mar is cuí, a thaifeadadh i gclár a choimeádfaidh an tAire chun na críche sin.
(2) In aon chás seachas cás dá bhforáiltear i bhfo-alt (1), is é nó is í pátrún scoile aitheanta ná an duine a d'iarr aitheantas don scoil nó ainmnitheach de chuid an duine sin agus déanfar ainm an duine sin a thaifeadadh sa chlár.
(3) Féadfaidh an tAire an clár a leasú i leith aon scoile ar iarratas ón duine a bheidh, de thuras na huaire, cláraithe mar phátrún nó ó chomharba an duine sin.
(4) I gcás scoile a bheidh bunaithe nó faoi chothabháil ag coiste gairmoideachais, is é an coiste sin pátrún na scoile chun críocha an Achta seo.
(5) Más rud é go mbeidh beirt nó níos mó ag feidhmiú feidhmeanna pátrúin, féadfar iad a chlárú mar chomhphátrúin.
(6) Comhallfaidh pátrún scoile na feidhmeanna, agus feidhmeoidh sé nó sí na cumhachtaí, a thugtar don phátrún leis an Acht seo agus cibé feidhmeanna agus cumhachtaí eile a thugtar don phátrún le haon Acht den Oireachtas nó le haon ionstraim arna déanamh faoin gcéanna, nó le haon ghníomhas, cairt, airteagail bhainistíochta nó ionstraim eile den sórt sin a bhaineann le bunú nó le hoibriú na scoile.
(7) San alt seo—
folaíonn “duine” comhlacht daoine;
folaíonn “scoil” scoil bheartaithe.
Feidhmeanna scoile.
9.—Cuirfidh scoil aitheanta oideachas ar fáil do mhic léinn ar oideachas é is cuí dá gcumais agus dá riachtanais agus, gan dochar do ghinearáltacht an mhéid sin roimhe seo, úsáidfidh sí na hacmhainní a bheidh ar fáil di—
(a) chun a chinntiú go ndéanfar riachtanais oideachais gach mic léinn, lena n-áirítear iad sin atá faoi mhíchumas nó a bhfuil riachtanais speisialta eile oideachais acu, a shainaithint agus go ndéanfar soláthar faoina gcomhair,
(b) chun a chinntiú, maidir leis an oideachas a chuireann sí ar fáil, go ndéanann sé freastal ar cheanglais an bheartais oideachais mar a chinnfidh an tAire é ó am go ham, lena n-áirítear ceanglais i dtaca le soláthar curaclaim mar a fhorordóidh an tAire de réir alt 30,
(c) chun a chinntiú go mbeidh rochtain ag mic léinn ar threoir chuí chun cabhrú leo i dtaca lena roghanna oideachais agus gairme,
(d) chun forbairt mhorálta, spioradálta, shóisialta agus phearsanta mac léinn a chur chun cinn agus chun oideachas sláinte a chur ar fáil dóibh, i gcomhairle lena dtuismitheoirí, ag féachaint do spiorad sainiúil na scoile,
(e) chun comhionannas deiseanna a chur chun cinn do mhic léinn agus d'fhoireann na scoile, idir fhireannaigh agus bhaineannaigh,
(f) chun forbairt na Gaeilge agus thraidisiúin na hÉireann, litríocht na hÉireann, na healaíona agus nithe cultúrtha eile, a chur chun cinn,
(g) chun a chinntiú go mbeidh rochtain sa mhodh forordaithe ag tuismitheoirí mic léinn nó, i gcás mic léinn a bhfuil 18 mbliana d'aois slánaithe aige nó aici, ag an mac léinn, ar thaifid a choimeádann an scoil sin i ndáil le dul chun cinn an mhic léinn sin i dtaca lena oideachas nó lena hoideachas,
(h) i gcás scoileanna atá lonnaithe i limistéar Gaeltachta, chun cuidiú leis an nGaeilge a choinneáil mar phríomhtheanga an phobail,
(i) chun a cuid gníomhaíochtaí a sheoladh de réir aon rialachán a dhéanfaidh an tAire ó am go ham faoi alt 33,
(j) chun a chinntiú go ndéanfar riachtanais an phearsanra atá ag gabháil d'fheidhmeanna bainistíochta agus riachtanais forbartha na foirne i gcoitinne sa scoil a shainaithint agus go ndéanfar soláthar faoina gcomhair,
(k) chun córais a bhunú agus a chothabháil lena bhféadfar éifeachtúlacht agus éifeachtacht a cuid oibríochtaí a mheasúnú, lena n-áirítear cáilíocht agus éifeachtacht na múinteoireachta sa scoil agus leibhéil ghnóthachtála agus caighdeáin acadúla mac léinn,
(l) chun teagmhálacha a bhunú nó a chothabháil le scoileanna eile agus ag leibhéil chuí eile ar fud an phobail dá bhfónann an scoil, agus
(m) faoi réir an Achta seo agus go háirithe alt 15(2)(d), chun beartas i dtaca le ligean isteach a bhunú agus a chothabháil lena bhforálfar don inrochtaineacht is mó is féidir ar an scoil.
Scoileanna a aithint.
10.—(1) Féadfaidh an tAire ó am go ham, ar iarraidh chuige sin a bheith déanta, scoil nó scoil bheartaithe a ainmniú chun bheith ina scoil atá aitheanta chun críocha an Achta seo.
(2) Féadfaidh an tAire scoil nó scoil bheartaithe a ainmniú chun bheith ina scoil atá aitheanta chun críocha an Achta seo i gcás inar deimhin leis an Aire, ar iarraidh chuige sin a bheith déanta ag pátrún scoile nó scoile beartaithe—
(a) mar gheall ar líon na mac léinn atá nó is dócha a bheidh ag freastal ar an scoil, gur scoil inmharthana atá nó is dócha a bheidh inti,
(b) i gcás scoile beartaithe, agus ag féachaint dá inmhianaithe atá sé go mbeadh aicmí éagsúla scoileanna ag oibriú sa limistéar ar dócha go mbeidh an scoil ag fónamh dó, nach féidir le réasún leis na scoileanna atá ann cheana féin riar ar riachtanais na mac léinn a bheidh ag freastal, nó is dócha a bheidh ag freastal, ar an scoil,
(c) go ngeallann an pátrún go gcuirfidh an scoil an curaclam arna chinneadh de réir alt 30 ar fáil,
(d) go gcomhaontaíonn an pátrún cigireacht agus meastóireacht rialta ag an gCigireacht a cheadú agus comhoibriú leis an gcéanna,
(e) go gcomhlíonann an scoil nó, i gcás scoile beartaithe, go gcomhlíonfaidh an scoil caighdeáin sláinte, sábháilteachta agus tógála de réir mar a chinntear le dlí, agus aon chaighdeáin bhreise den sórt sin a chinnfidh an tAire ó am go ham, agus
(f) go gcomhaontaíonn an pátrún go n-oibreoidh an scoil de réir cibé rialachán a dhéanfaidh an tAire ó am go ham faoi alt 33 agus de réir an Achta seo agus de réir aon téarmaí agus coinníollacha eile a bheidh ag gabháil, le réasún, le haitheantas ón Aire.
(3) Aon scoil a bheidh, ag tosach feidhme an ailt seo, ag fáil cistí a sholáthraíonn an tOireachtas—
(a) i leith na ngníomhaíochtaí oideachais do mhic léinn na scoile sin, nó
(b) i leith luach saothair múinteoirí sa scoil sin,
measfar gur scoil í atá aitheanta de réir an ailt seo.
(4) Féadfaidh an tAire ó am go ham áit a ainmniú chun bheith ina lárionad oideachais.
Aitheantas a tharraingt siar.
11.—(1) Más rud é gur deimhin leis an Aire nach bhfuil scoil, lena n-áirítear scoil atá aitheanta de réir alt 10(3), ag comhlíonadh na gceanglas le haghaidh scoil a aithint dá bhforáiltear in alt 10(2), nó nach bhfuil feidhmeanna scoile á gcomhall go héifeachtach agus gur dóigh leis nó léi gur ceart aitheantas a tharraingt siar ón scoil sin, cuirfidh an tAire an tuairim sin agus na cúiseanna atá leis an tuairim sin in iúl, trí fhógra i scríbhinn, don bhord, don phátrún, do na múinteoirí, do chomhairle na mac léinn, más ann, agus do thuismitheoirí na mac léinn sa scoil sin.
(2) Más rud é, ar thrí mhí a bheith caite ó dháta an fhógra arna eisiúint faoi fho-alt (1) agus tar éis breithniú a dhéanamh ar aon uiríll a dhéanfaidh bord nó pátrún na scoile, na múinteoirí nó na tuismitheoirí nó comhairle na mac léinn, más ann, chuig an Aire, go mbeidh an tAire fós den tuairim sin, féadfaidh an tAire aitheantas a tharraingt siar ón scoil trí fhógra i scríbhinn a bheidh dírithe chuig bord agus pátrún na scoile, agus beidh éifeacht leis an bhfógra sin ar an agus ón lá deireanach den scoilbhliain tar éis na scoilbhliana inar díríodh an fógra chuig an mbord nó cibé dáta is déanaí ná sin a chinnfidh an tAire.
(3) Is é dualgas an Aire, i leith scoile ónar tarraingíodh aitheantas siar, socrú a dhéanamh chun saoráidí oideachais cuí ionadacha a chur ar fáil do na mic léinn sin a bhí rollaithe sa scoil ar an dáta ar tarraingíodh an t-aitheantas siar agus a bhfuil na saoráidí sin de dhíth orthu.
(4) Más rud é gur deimhin leis an Aire, maidir le scoil ónar tarraingíodh aitheantas siar, go sásaíonn sí na ceanglais le haghaidh scoil a aithint dá bhforáiltear in alt 10, agus go gcomhallfar feidhmeanna na scoile go héifeachtach, féadfaidh an tAire aitheantas a thabhairt ar ais don scoil sin ar choinníoll, maidir leis an aitheantas sin a thabhairt ar ais, nach bhfágfaidh sé go mbeidh an scoil sin ná aon duine atá fostaithe sa scoil i dteideal aon íocaíocht a fháil as airgead a sholáthróidh an tOireachtas i ndáil leis an tréimhse i ndiaidh an t-aitheantas a tharraingt siar agus roimh an aitheantas a thabhairt ar ais.
Maoiniú bliantúil.
12.—(1) Déanfaidh an tAire, le comhthoiliú an Aire Airgeadais, critéir a chinneadh agus a fhoilsiú i ngach scoilbhliain ar dá réir a dhéanfar aon aicme nó aicmí scoileanna aitheanta nó lárionad oideachais a mhaoiniú sa scoilbhliain ina dhiaidh sin as airgead a sholáthróidh an tOireachtas agus ceadófar leis na critéir sin airgead breise a íoc le scoileanna aitheanta ag féachaint do leibhéal mhíbhuntáiste oideachasúil na mac léinn sna scoileanna.
(2) Ach amháin mar a fhoráiltear a mhalairt leis an Acht seo, déanfaidh an tAire, i ngach scoilbhliain agus faoi cibé dáta nó dátaí a chinnfidh an tAire, deontas nó deontais a bheidh ag teacht leis na critéir a chinnfear de bhun an ailt seo a thabhairt do gach scoil aitheanta nó lárionad oideachais as airgead a sholáthróidh an tOireachtas de réir an Achta seo, chun an scoil sin nó an lárionad oideachais sin a sheoladh.
(3) Ní thabharfar deontas nó deontais mura scoil aitheanta an scoil ar an dáta a bheidh an deontas nó na deontais sin le tabhairt.
(4) Ach amháin mar a fhoráiltear a mhalairt san Acht seo, más rud é, ar thosach feidhme an ailt seo, go mbeidh socruithe i bhfeidhm trína gcuireann an tAire deontais ar fáil do chomhlacht daoine a eisíocann na deontais sin le dhá scoil aitheanta nó níos mó, ansin ní oibreoidh aon ní san Acht seo chun na socruithe sin a athrú ach amháin le comhaontú an chomhlachta sin nó a chomharba.
(5) I gcás ina bhfuil feidhm ag fo-alt (4), déanfaidh an tAire cibé deontas nó deontais a bheidh ar cóimhéid leis an méid a thabharfaí, murach an fo-alt seo, do scoileanna faoi fho-alt (2) a thabhairt, as airgead a sholáthróidh an tOireachtas, don chomhlacht dá dtagraítear san fho-alt sin nó dá chomharba, agus déanfaidh an comhlacht sin aon deontas nó deontais den sórt sin a chur chun feidhme ar mhaithe le mic léinn sna scoileanna sin.
CUID III
An Chigireacht
An Chigireacht.
13.—(1) Ceapfaidh an tAire Príomh-Chigire agus cibé Cigirí agus cibé líon Cigirí is cuí leis an Aire agus tabharfar an “Cigireacht” ar an bPríomh-Chigire agus na Cigirí le chéile agus sin mar a ghairfear díobh san Acht seo.
(2) I measc na ndaoine a cheapfaidh an tAire mar Chigirí faoi fho-alt (1) beidh daoine a bhfuil cáilíochtaí acu mar shíceolaithe nó a bhfuil saineolas eile acu, lena n-áirítear saineolas ar oideachas mac léinn a bhfuil riachtanais speisialta oideachais acu.
(3) Is iad feidhmeanna Cigire:
(a) tacaíocht a thabhairt do scoileanna aitheanta, do lárionaid oideachais agus do mhúinteoirí agus iad a chomhairliú maidir le nithe a bhaineann le soláthar oideachais agus, gan dochar do ghinearáltacht an mhéid sin roimhe seo—
(i) tabharfaidh Cigire cuairt ar scoileanna aitheanta agus ar lárionaid oideachais ar thionscnamh na Cigireachta agus, tar éis dul i gcomhairle leis an mbord, leis an bpátrún, le tuismitheoirí mac léinn agus le múinteoirí, de réir mar is cuí, déanfaidh sé nó sí aon cheann nó gach ceann de na nithe seo a leanas:
(I) meastóireacht ar eagrú agus oibriú na scoileanna agus na lárionad sin agus ar cháilíocht agus éifeachtacht an oideachais a chuirtear ar fáil sna scoileanna nó sna lárionaid sin, lena n-áirítear cáilíocht na múinteoireachta agus éifeachtacht múinteoirí aonair;
(II) meastóireacht ar na caighdeáin oideachais i scoileanna nó i lárionaid den sórt sin;
(III) measúnacht ar chur i ngníomh agus ar éifeachtacht aon chlár oideachais a bheidh ceaptha le haghaidh mac léinn aonair atá faoi mhíchumas nó a bhfuil riachtanais speisialta eile oideachais acu;
(IV) measúnacht ar chur i ngníomh rialachán a bheidh déanta ag an Aire, agus
(V) tuarascáil a thabhairt don Aire, nó don bhord, don phátrún, do thuismitheoirí mac léinn agus do mhúinteoirí, de réir mar is cuí agus mar a fhorordófar, maidir leis na nithe sin nó maidir le haon ní eile a bhaineann le gníomhaíochtaí na scoileanna nó na lárionad sin agus le riachtanais na mac léinn atá ag freastal ar na scoileanna nó ar na lárionaid sin,
(ii) féadfaidh Cigire measúnachtaí a sheoladh ar riachtanais oideachais mac léinn i scoileanna aitheanta, agus na mic léinn sin, a dtuismitheoirí agus na scoileanna, de réir mar is cuí, a chomhairliú i ndáil le forbairt oideachasúil na mac léinn sin,
(iii) tabharfaidh Cigire comhairle do mhúinteoirí agus do bhoird i ndáil lena ndualgais a chomhlíonadh agus, go háirithe, cabhróidh sé nó sí le múinteoirí modhanna feabhsaithe a úsáid chun múineadh agus chun ranganna a sheoladh, agus
(iv) tabharfaidh Cigire comhairle do thuismitheoirí agus do chumainn tuismitheoirí;
(b) meastóireacht a dhéanamh ar cháilíocht agus ar éifeachtacht sholáthar an oideachais sa Stát, lena n-áirítear comparáid a dhéanamh le cleachtas agus caighdeáin idirnáisiúnta iomchuí, agus tuarascáil a thabhairt don Aire ar an gcéanna;
(c) taighde ar an oideachas a sheoladh agus tacaíocht a chur ar fáil i dtaca le foirmliú beartais ag an Aire;
(d) sármhaitheas a chur chun cinn i mbainistiú scoileanna, sa mhúinteoireacht i scoileanna agus in úsáid seirbhísí taca ag scoileanna agus sna nósanna imeachta le haghaidh comhchomhairle agus comhoibriú laistigh de scoileanna agus lárionaid oideachais agus eatarthu;
(e) faisnéis a scaipeadh i ndáil leis na nithe seo a leanas—
(i) comhlíonadh na bhfeidhmeanna dá bhforáiltear san alt seo ag an gCigireacht, agus
(ii) tionscnaimh oideachais a bheidh curtha i ngníomh ag scoileanna agus ag lárionaid oideachais, agus ar éirigh leo,
agus díospóireacht fheasach maidir leis na nithe sin a chur chun cinn;
(f) meastóireacht a dhéanamh ar éifeachtacht mhúineadh, fhorbairt, chur chun cinn agus úsáid na Gaeilge i scoileanna agus i lárionaid oideachais agus tuarascáil a thabhairt don Aire maidir leis na nithe sin;
(g) comhairle a thabhairt don Aire maidir le haon ní a bhaineann le beartas oideachais agus soláthar oideachais, lena n-áirítear an curaclam a mhúintear i scoileanna aitheanta, measúnacht agus modhanna múinteoireachta, agus
(h) cibé feidhmeanna a chinnfidh an Príomh-Chigire a chomhlíonadh i ndáil le hullmhú agus marcáil scrúduithe scoile a sheoltar sa Stát, faireachán agus meastóireacht a dhéanamh ar shubstaint agus caighdeáin na scrúduithe sin agus tuarascáil a thabhairt don Aire maidir leis an méid sin.
(4) Gan dochar do ghinearáltacht fho-alt (3), beidh na feidhmeanna seo a leanas ag Cigire a bhfuil feidhm ag fo-alt (2) ina leith:
(a) measúnacht a dhéanamh, i gcomhairle le tuismitheoirí, ar riachtanais shíceolaíocha mac léinn i scoileanna aitheanta agus comhairle a thabhairt do na mic léinn sin, dá dtuismitheoirí agus do na scoileanna, de réir mar is cuí, i ndáil le forbairt oideachasúil agus shíceolaíoch na mac léinn sin;
(b) comhairle a thabhairt do scoileanna aitheanta maidir le beartais agus straitéisí chun oideachas a chur ar leanaí a bhfuil riachtanais speisialta oideachais acu;
(c) comhairle a thabhairt don Aire maidir le haon ní a bhaineann le riachtanais shíceolaíocha mac léinn i scoileanna aitheanta;
(d) i gcomhoibriú le tuismitheoirí agus leis an bPríomhoide agus le múinteoirí i scoileanna aitheanta, cabhair a thabhairt chun timpeallacht scoile a chruthú ina gcoiscfear nó ina srianfar na constaicí ar an bhfoghlaim a bheidh le sárú ag mic léinn, agus
(e) comhairle a thabhairt don Aire maidir le haon ní a bhaineann le riachtanais teangeolaíocha mac léinn bodhar i scoileanna aitheanta.
(5) Más rud é go mbeidh meastóireacht nó measúnacht déanta ag Cigire faoi fho-alt (3)(a)(i), féadfaidh sé nó sí moltaí a chur faoi bhráid an Aire i leith feabhsuithe is dóigh leis nó léi is cuí.
(6) Féadfaidh an tAire, má thoilíonn múinteoir agus an bord, an múinteoir sin a thabhairt ar iasacht don Chigireacht ar feadh cibé tréimhse a chinnfidh an tAire, chun aon cheann nó gach ceann de na feidhmeanna a thugtar do Chigire a chomhall.
(7) Beidh ag Cigire na cumhachtaí sin go léir is gá nó is fóirsteanach chun a fheidhmeanna nó a feidhmeanna a chomhlíonadh agus tabharfaidh bord agus foireann scoile nó lárionaid oideachais gach saoráid agus gach comhoibriú réasúnach dó nó di.
(8) Déanfaidh Cigire, lena n-áirítear an Príomh-Chigire, a fheidhmeanna nó a feidhmeanna a chomhall de réir cibé nósanna imeachta agus critéar le haghaidh cigireachtaí a chinnfidh an tAire ó am go ham tar éis dul i gcomhairle le pátrúin, le heagraíochtaí bainistíochta scoile, le ceardchumainn aitheanta agus comhlachais foirne atá ionadaitheach do mhúinteoirí agus le cibé daoine eile is cuí leis an Aire, agus de réir cibé ordachán a thabharfaidh an tAire ó am go ham.
(9) Féadfaidh múinteoir nó bord scoile a iarraidh ar an bPríomh-Chigire aon chigireacht a bheidh déanta ag Cigire agus a dhéanann difear don mhúinteoir nó don scoil a athbhreithniú agus déanfaidh an Príomh-Chigire an chigireacht a athbhreithniú de réir cibé nósanna imeachta a chinnfidh an Príomh-Chigire.
(10) Aon duine atá, díreach roimh thosach feidhme na Coda seo, i seilbh oifige mar Phríomh-Chigire, mar Chigire nó mar Chigire Treoirseirbhíse/Síceolaí nó ar iasacht don Chigireacht, leanfaidh sé nó sí, ar thosach feidhme na Coda seo, den oifig sin a shealbhú nó de bheith ar iasacht amhlaidh, de réir mar is cuí, agus beidh feidhm ag an alt seo maidir le haon duine den sórt sin.
(11) Beidh feidhm ag Acht Choimisinéirí na Stát-Sheirbhíse, 1956, agus ag Achtanna Rialaithe na Státseirbhíse, 1956 go 1996, maidir le Cigirí.
(12) Déanfaidh an tAire Cigirí a cheapadh nó múinteoirí a thabhairt ar iasacht don Chigireacht, de réir an ailt seo, le comhthoiliú an Aire Airgeadais.
CUID IV
Boird Bhainistíochta
Bunú agus comhaltas bord bainistíochta.
14.—(1) Is é dualgas pátrúin, chun a chinntiú go ndéanfar scoil aitheanta a bhainistiú le meon comhpháirtíochta, bord bainistíochta a cheapadh más indéanta é, ar bord é a mbeidh comhaontú ann, maidir lena chomhdhéanamh, idir pátrúin scoileanna, cumainn náisiúnta tuismitheoirí, eagraíochtaí aitheanta bainistíochta scoile, ceardchumainn aitheanta agus comhlachais foirne atá ionadaitheach do mhúinteoirí agus an tAire.
(2) Déanfaidh bord a bhunófar de réir fho-alt (1) na feidhmeanna a shanntar do scoil leis an Acht seo a chomhlíonadh i leith na scoile sin agus, seachas i gcás scoile a bheidh bunaithe nó faoi chothabháil ag coiste gairmoideachais, beidh gach bord ina chomhlacht corpraithe ag a mbeidh comharbas suthain agus beidh cumhacht agartha aige agus beidh sé inagartha ina ainm corpraithe.
(3) Go dtí go mbunófar bord mar a fhoráiltear le fo-alt (1), is iad na daoine a bhfuil freagrachtaí orthu faoi na struchtúir agus na córais atá i bhfeidhm i scoil chun an scoil sin a bhainistiú ag tosach feidhme na Coda seo, lena n-áirítear boird ghobharnóirí, a chomhlíonfaidh feidhmeanna boird faoin Acht seo de réir mar is cuí.
(4) Is é nó is í pátrún na scoile a cheapfaidh comhaltaí boird, ach amháin i gcás go bhforáiltear a mhalairt le hairteagail bhainistíochta.
(5) Le linn do phátrún ceapacháin a dhéanamh chuig bord a bhunófar de réir fho-alt (1), déanfaidh sé nó sí de réir ordachán a bheidh tugtha ag an Aire i ndáil le cothromaíocht chuí inscne agus rachaidh an tAire i gcomhairle le pátrúin, le cumainn náisiúnta tuismitheoirí, le heagraíochtaí aitheanta bainistíochta scoile agus le ceardchumainn aitheanta agus comhlachais foirne atá ionadaitheach do mhúinteoirí sula dtabharfaidh sé nó sí aon ordacháin den sórt sin.
(6) Déanfaidh an tAire, le comhaontú an phátrúin, cumann náisiúnta tuismitheoirí, eagraíochtaí aitheanta bainistíochta scoile agus ceardchumann aitheanta agus comhlachas foirne atá ionadaitheach do mhúinteoirí, nithe a fhorordú a bhaineann le ceapadh boird.
(7) Ach amháin mar a fhoráiltear leis an Acht seo, ní beidh aon ábhar caingne ann in aghaidh comhalta boird i leith aon ní a dhéanfaidh an comhalta sin de mheon macánta agus de bhun an Achta seo nó aon rialachán arna ndéanamh ag an Aire faoin Acht seo.
(8) I gcás go gcinnfidh pátrún nach bhfuil sé indéanta bord a cheapadh de réir fho-alt (1), cuirfidh an pátrún an méid sin agus na cúiseanna a bhí leis in iúl, tráth an chinnidh sin, do thuismitheoirí mac léinn, do mhúinteoirí agus d'fhoireann eile na scoile agus don Aire agus, dá éis sin, mura gceapfar bord amhlaidh, déanfaidh an pátrún, ó am go ham nó de réir mar a iarrfaidh an tAire, na cúiseanna atá leis sin a chur in iúl do na tuismitheoirí, do na múinteoirí agus don fhoireann eile, agus don Aire.
Feidhmeanna boird.
15.—(1) Is é dualgas boird an scoil a bhainistiú thar ceann an phátrúin agus ar mhaithe leis na mic léinn agus a dtuismitheoirí agus oideachas cuí a sholáthar nó a chur faoi deara é a sholáthar do gach mac léinn ar an scoil a bhfuil freagracht ar an mbord sin ina leith.
(2) Comhlíonfaidh bord na feidhmeanna a thugtar dó agus do scoil leis an Acht seo agus, le linn do bhord a fheidhmeanna a chomhall—
(a) déanfaidh sé amhlaidh de réir na mbeartas a chinnfidh an tAire ó am go ham,
(b) déanfaidh sé spiorad sainiúil na scoile, mar a chinntear é de réir na luachanna agus na dtraidisiún cultúrtha, oideachais, morálta, creidimh, sóisialta, teangeolaíocha agus spioradálta is bun le cuspóirí agus stiúradh na scoile agus is saintréithe den chéanna, a chosaint agus beidh sé cuntasach don phátrún as iad a chosaint amhlaidh, agus gníomhóidh sé i gcónaí de réir aon Achta den Oireachtas nó aon ionstraime arna déanamh faoin gcéanna, agus de réir aon ghníomhais, cairte, airteagal bainistíochta nó aon ionstraime eile den sórt sin a bhaineann le bunú nó le hoibriú na scoile,
(c) rachaidh sé i gcomhairle leis an bpátrún agus coinneoidh sé ar an eolas é nó í maidir le cinntí agus tograí de chuid an bhoird,
(d) foilseoidh sé, i cibé modh is dóigh leis an mbord, le comhaontú an phátrúin, a bheith cuí, beartas na scoile i dtaca le ligean isteach agus rannpháirtíocht sa scoil, lena n-áirítear beartas na scoile i ndáil le mic léinn a dhíbirt agus a chur ar fionraí, agus i ndáil le ligean isteach agus rannpháirtíocht mac léinn atá faoi mhíchumas nó a bhfuil riachtanais speisialta eile oideachais acu, agus cinnteoidh sé, i dtaca leis an mbeartas sin, go n-urramófar prionsabail an chomhionannais agus an ceart atá ag tuismitheoirí a leanaí a chur ar scoil is rogha leis na tuismitheoirí agus go gcomhlíonfar cibé ordacháin a dhéanfaidh an tAire ó am go ham, ag féachaint do spiorad sainiúil na scoile agus do chearta bunreachtúla gach duine lena mbaineann,
(e) beidh aird aige ar phrionsabail agus ar riachtanais sochaí daonlathaí agus beidh urraim aige don éagsúlacht luachanna, creideamh, traidisiún, teangacha agus modhanna maireachtála atá sa tsochaí agus cothóidh sé urraim don éagsúlacht sin,
(f) beidh aird aige ar úsáid éifeachtúil acmhainní (agus, go háirithe, ar úsáid éifeachtúil deontas a chuirtear ar fáil faoi alt 12), ar leas an phobail i ngnóthaí na scoile agus ar chuntasacht do mhic léinn, dá dtuismitheoirí, don phátrún, don fhoireann agus don phobal dá bhfónann an scoil, agus
(g) úsáidfidh sé na hacmhainní a chuirfear ar fáil don scoil as airgead a sholáthróidh an tOireachtas chun soláthar réasúnach a dhéanamh do mhic léinn atá faoi mhíchumas nó a bhfuil riachtanais speisialta eile oideachais acu agus chun cóir réasúnach a chur orthu, lena n-áirítear, i gcás inar gá é, foirgnimh a athrú agus trealamh cuí a sholáthar.
(3) D'fhonn amhras a sheachaint, ní thabharfaidh, ná ní mheasfar go dtabharfaidh, aon ní san Acht seo aon cheart don bhord ar thalamh agus foirgnimh na scoile a bhfuil an bord sin freagrach ina leith, ná aon leas sa chéanna.
Díscaoileadh ag pátrún.
16.—(1) Faoi réir an ailt seo agus thoiliú an Aire, féadfaidh an pátrún—
(a) ar chúiseanna maithe bailí, a shonrófar i scríbhinn do chomhalta de bhord bainistíochta, an comhalta sin a chur as an oifig sin, nó
(b) más deimhin leis nó léi nach bhfuil feidhmeanna boird á gcomhall go héifeachtach, an bord sin a dhíscaoileadh.
(2) Más rud é go mbeartaíonn pátrún comhalta boird a chur as an oifig sin nó bord a dhíscaoileadh, cuirfidh an pátrún in iúl, trí fhógra i scríbhinn, don chomhalta sin nó don bhord sin go bhfuil ar intinn aige nó aici é sin a dhéanamh agus na cúiseanna atá leis.
(3) Más rud é, ag deireadh tréimhse míosa amháin tar éis dháta an fhógra dá bhforáiltear i bhfo-alt (2), go mbeidh an pátrún, tar éis aon uiríll a bheidh déanta chuige nó chuici ag an gcomhalta nó ag an mbord, nó thar ceann ceachtar acu, a bhreithniú, fós den tuairim gur ceart an comhalta a chur as oifig nó gur ceart an bord a dhíscaoileadh, ansin féadfaidh an pátrún, faoi réir cheadú an Aire agus trí fhógra i scríbhinn ina sonrófar tuairim an phátrúin agus na cúiseanna atá léi, an comhalta a chur as oifig nó an bord a dhíscaoileadh, de réir mar is cuí.
(4) Déanfar cóip de gach fógra a eiseofar faoin alt seo agus aon uiríll a dhéanfar chuig an bpátrún a sheachadadh ar an Aire a luaithe is féidir tar éis é a dhéanamh.
(5) Aon uair a dhíscaoilfidh an pátrún bord, féadfaidh an pátrún, faoi réir cheadú an Aire, aon duine nó aon chomhlacht daoine is cuí leis an bpátrún a cheapadh chun feidhmeanna an bhoird a chomhlíonadh.
(6) I gcás ina gcuirfidh pátrún comhalta de bhord as oifig, déanfar an folúntas a bheidh ann dá dhroim sin a líonadh de réir rialachán arna ndéanamh faoi alt 14(6).
(7) Déanfaidh an pátrún socrú, de réir alt 14, chun bord a bheidh díscaoilte faoi fho-alt (1) a athbhunú tráth nach déanaí ná sé mhí tar éis an díscaoilte nó cibé tréimhse is faide ná sin is cuí leis an bpátrún, le toiliú an Aire, agus nuair a bheidh an bord nua bunaithe, déanfar feidhmeanna an bhoird dhíscaoilte a athdhílsiú don bhord nua agus scoirfidh na feidhmeanna sin de bheith ina bhfeidhmeanna de chuid an duine nó an chomhlachta daoine, más ann, a ceapadh faoi fho-alt (5).
Díscaoileadh ag pátrún ar iarraidh ón Aire.
17.—(1) Más rud é—
(a) gur deimhin leis an Aire nach bhfuil feidhmeanna boird á gcomhall go héifeachtach, nó
(b) go bhfailleoidh bord go toiliúil aon ordú, ordachán nó rialachán ón Aire arna thabhairt nó arna dhéanamh faoin Acht seo a chomhlíonadh, nó
(c) go mainneoidh bord aon bhreithiúnas nó ordú ó aon chúirt dlínse inniúla a chomhlíonadh,
féadfaidh an tAire, trí fhógra i scríbhinn, a cheangal ar an bpátrún an bord a dhíscaoileadh ar chúiseanna a shonrófar san fhógra sin agus díscaoilfidh an pátrún an bord dá réir sin a luaithe is féidir tar éis dháta an fhógra sin.
(2) Sula seirbheálfaidh an tAire fógra mar a fhoráiltear i bhfo-alt (1), cuirfidh sé nó sí in iúl don bhord agus don phátrún go bhfuil ar intinn aige nó aici é sin a dhéanamh agus breithneoidh sé nó sí aon uiríll a bheidh déanta chuige nó chuici ag an mbord nó ag an bpátrún, nó thar ceann ceachtar acu, laistigh de mhí amháin ón méid sin a chur in iúl don bhord agus don phátrún.
(3) Aon uair a dhíscaoilfidh an pátrún bord faoin alt seo, beidh feidhm ag fo-ailt (5) agus (7) d'alt 16.
Cuntais agus taifid a choimeád.
18.—(1) Ach amháin i gcás scoile a bheidh bunaithe nó faoi chothabháil ag coiste gairmoideachais, coimeádfaidh bord na cuntais agus na taifid go léir is cuí agus is gnách ar an airgead go léir a gheobhaidh sé nó ar chaiteachas an airgid sin a thabhóidh sé agus cinnteoidh sé go ndéanfar, i ngach bliain, na cuntais sin go léir a iniúchadh nó a dheimhniú go cuí de réir an chleachtais cuntasaíochta is fearr.
(2) Déanfaidh an scoil lena mbaineann cuntais a choimeádfar de bhun an ailt seo a chur ar fáil lena n-iniúchadh ag an Aire agus ag tuismitheoirí mac léinn sa scoil, a mhéid a bhaineann na cuntais sin le hairgead a sholáthrófar de réir alt 12.
Tuarascáil maidir le hoibriú an bhoird.
19.—(1) Más rud é go mbeidh an tAire nó an pátrún den tuairim nach bhfuil feidhmeanna boird á gcomhall go héifeachtach, cuirfidh an tAire nó an pátrún, de réir mar a bheidh, an tuairim sin agus na cúiseanna atá léi in iúl don bhord.
(2) Féadfaidh an tAire nó an pátrún, de réir mar a bheidh, tar éis aon uiríll a bheidh déanta ag an mbord a bhreithniú, aon duine nó daoine is cuí leis an Aire nó leis an bpátrún a údarú chun tuarascáil a thabhairt don Aire nó don phátrún, nó don Aire agus don phátrún araon, maidir le haon ní a éireoidh as oibriú an bhoird sin nó a bhaineann leis an oibriú sin.
(3) Aon duine a cheapfar chun tuarascáil a ullmhú faoin alt seo, beidh sé nó sí i dteideal dul isteach gach tráth réasúnach in aon áitreabh atá ar áitiú ag an scoil lena mbaineann agus tabharfaidh an bord, na múinteoirí agus foireann eile na scoile gach saoráid agus gach comhoibriú dó nó di, lena n-áirítear rochtain ar gach taifead, chun a fheidhmeanna nó a feidhmeanna a chomhlíonadh.
(4) Déanfaidh Príomhoide nó bord cibé faisnéis a bhaineann le comhlíonadh fheidhmeanna an bhoird agus a theastóidh ón bpátrún nó ón Aire, de réir mar a bheidh, ó am go ham, a chur ar fáil don phátrún agus don Aire.
(5) Más rud é go mbeartaíonn an tAire nó pátrún feidhmeanna a fheidhmiú faoin alt seo, ansin—
(a) cuirfidh an tAire in iúl don phátrún, nó
(b) cuirfidh an pátrún in iúl don Aire,
de réir mar is cuí, cén gníomh atá beartaithe.
Tuarascáil agus faisnéis.
20.—Bunóidh bord nósanna imeachta chun nithe a bhaineann le hoibriú agus le feidhmiú scoile a chur in iúl do thuismitheoirí mac léinn sa scoil agus féadfar a áireamh sna nósanna imeachta sin tuarascáil maidir le hoibriú agus le feidhmiú na scoile in aon scoilbhliain, ag tagairt go háirithe do ghnóthú cuspóirí mar atá leagtha amach sa phlean scoile dá bhforáiltear faoi alt 21, a fhoilsiú agus a scaipeadh ar thuismitheoirí, ar mhúinteoirí agus ar chomhaltaí eile foirne agus ar chomhairle mac léinn i gcás ceann a bheith bunaithe.
An plean scoile.
21.—(1) Déanfaidh bord, a luaithe is féidir tar éis a cheaptha, socruithe chun plean (dá ngairtear an “plean scoile” san alt seo) a ullmhú agus cinnteoidh sé go ndéanfar an plean a athbhreithniú agus a thabhairt cothrom le dáta ar bhonn rialta.
(2) Sonrófar sa phlean scoile cuspóirí na scoile maidir le comhionannas rochtana ar an scoil agus le comhionannas rannpháirtíochta sa scoil agus na bearta a bheartaíonn an scoil a ghlacadh chun na cuspóirí sin a bhaint amach, lena n-áirítear comhionannas rochtana ar an scoil agus comhionannas rannpháirtíochta sa scoil ag mic léinn atá faoi mhíchumas nó a bhfuil riachtanais speisialta eile oideachais acu.
(3) Ullmhófar an plean scoile de réir cibé ordachán, lena n-áirítear ordacháin a bhaineann le comhchomhairle le tuismitheoirí, pátrún, foireann agus mic léinn na scoile, a thabharfaidh an tAire ó am go ham i ndáil le pleananna scoile.
(4) Déanfaidh bord socruithe chun cóipeanna den phlean scoile a scaipeadh ar phátrún, tuismitheoirí, múinteoirí agus foireann eile na scoile.
CUID V
An Príomhoide agus na Múinteoirí
Feidhmeanna an Phríomhoide agus na múinteoirí.
22.—(1) Beidh freagracht, de réir an Achta seo, ar Phríomhoide scoile aitheanta agus ar na múinteoirí i scoil aitheanta, faoi stiúradh an Phríomhoide, as an teagasc a chuirfear ar fáil do mhic léinn sa scoil agus cuideoidh siad, i gcoitinne, le hoideachas agus forbairt phearsanta na mac léinn sa scoil sin.
(2) Gan dochar d'fho-alt (1), déanfaidh an Príomhoide agus na múinteoirí—
(a) an fhoghlaim a spreagadh agus a chothú i mic léinn,
(b) meastóireacht rialta ar mhic léinn agus tuairisc faoi thorthaí na meastóireachta a thabhairt go tréimhsiúil do na mic léinn agus dá dtuismitheoirí,
(c) i dteannta a chéile, comhoibriú idir an scoil agus an pobal dá bhfónann sí a chur chun cinn, agus
(d) faoi réir théarmaí aon chomhaontaithe chomhchoitinn is infheidhme agus faoi réir a gconartha fostaíochta, na dualgais sin a chomhlíonadh—
(i) i gcás múinteoirí, a shannfaidh an Príomhoide dóibh nó a shannfar dóibh ar threoir ón bPríomhoide, agus
(ii) i gcás an Phríomhoide, a shannfaidh an bord dó nó di.
An Príomhoide.
23.—(1) Déanfaidh bord, de réir nósanna imeachta a bheidh comhaontaithe ó am go ham idir an tAire, an pátrún, eagraíochtaí aitheanta bainistíochta scoile agus aon cheardchumann aitheanta nó comhlachas foirne atá ionadaitheach do mhúinteoirí, duine a cheapadh chun na scoile i gcáil lánaimseartha le bheith ina Phríomhoide nó ina Príomhoide ar an scoil sin faoi réir cibé téarmaí agus coinníollacha a chinnfidh an tAire ó am go ham, le toiliú an Aire Airgeadais.
(2) I dteannta na bhfeidhmeanna de chuid Príomhoide dá bhforáiltear in alt 22—
(a) beidh an Príomhoide freagrach as bainistíocht na scoile ó lá go lá, lena n-áirítear múinteoirí agus foireann eile na scoile a threorú agus a stiúradh, agus beidh sé nó sí cuntasach don bhord as an mbainistíocht sin,
(b) tabharfaidh an Príomhoide ceannaireacht do mhúinteoirí agus d'fhoireann eile agus do mhic léinn na scoile,
(c) beidh an Príomhoide freagrach, mar aon leis an mbord, le tuismitheoirí mac léinn agus leis na múinteoirí, as timpeallacht scoile a chruthú a thacaíonn leis an bhfoghlaim i measc na mac léinn agus a chuireann forbairt ghairmiúil na múinteoirí chun cinn,
(d) déanfaidh an Príomhoide, faoi stiúradh an bhoird agus i gcomhairle leis na múinteoirí, leis na tuismitheoirí agus, a mhéid is cuí dá n-aois agus dá dtaithí, leis na mic léinn, cuspóirí a leagan amach don scoil agus faireachán a dhéanamh ar ghnóthú na gcuspóirí sin, agus
(e) déanfaidh an Príomhoide tuismitheoirí mac léinn sa scoil a spreagadh le páirt a ghlacadh in oideachas na mac léinn sin agus i ngnóthú chuspóirí na scoile.
(3) Beidh ag Príomhoide, chun a fheidhmeanna nó a feidhmeanna faoin Acht seo a chomhall, na cumhachtaí sin go léir is gá nó is fóirsteanach chuige sin, agus déanfaidh an Príomhoide a fheidhmeanna nó a feidhmeanna a chomhall de réir cibé beartais a chinnfidh an bord ó am go ham agus de réir rialachán arna ndéanamh de réir alt 33.
(4) Beidh an Príomhoide i dteideal a bheith ina chomhalta nó ina comhalta d'aon choiste agus de gach coiste arna cheapadh ag bord.
(5) Más rud é, ag tosach feidhme an ailt seo, gur duine nó comhlacht daoine seachas bord na scoile fostóir an Phríomhoide in iar-bhunscoil, ansin beidh feidhm ag fo-alt (1) amhail is dá ndéanfaí an duine nó an comhlacht arb é nó í, ag an tosach feidhme sin agus ó am go ham dá éis sin, an fostóir sin a chur in ionad an bhoird mar a thagraítear dó san fho-alt sin.
(6) Le linn don Phríomhoide a fheidhmeanna nó a feidhmeanna faoin alt seo a fheidhmiú, rachaidh sé nó sí, nuair is indéanta é, i gcomhairle le múinteoirí agus foireann eile na scoile.
Forálacha a bhaineann leis an bhfoireann.
24.—(1) Faoi réir an ailt seo, féadfaidh bord cibé daoine agus cibé líon daoine a cheapadh mar mhúinteoirí agus mar fhoireann eile scoile a mheasfaidh an bord ó am go ham is gá chun a chumhachtaí agus a fheidhmeanna faoin Acht seo a chomhlíonadh.
(2) Beidh líon agus cáilíochtaí múinteoirí agus foirne eile scoile, a bheidh le híoc as airgead a sholáthróidh an tOireachtas, faoi réir cheadú an Aire le comhthoiliú an Aire Airgeadais.
(3) Ceapfaidh bord múinteoirí agus foireann eile, a bheidh le híoc as airgead a sholáthróidh an tOireachtas, agus féadfaidh sé na múinteoirí agus an fhoireann sin a chur ar fionraí nó a dhífhostú, de réir nósanna imeachta a bheidh comhaontaithe ó am go ham idir an tAire, an pátrún, eagraíochtaí aitheanta bainistíochta scoile agus aon cheardchumann aitheanta agus comhlachas foirne atá ionadaitheach do mhúinteoirí nó d'fhoireann eile, de réir mar is cuí.
(4) Maidir leis na nósanna imeachta a bhí, díreach roimh thosach feidhme an ailt seo, á gcur i bhfeidhm i ndáil le múinteoirí nó foireann eile a cheapadh, a chur ar fionraí agus a dhífhostú, leanfar de bheith á gcur i bhfeidhm tar éis an tosach feidhme sin go dtí go gcomhaontófar nósanna imeachta dá bhforáiltear i bhfo-alt (3).
(5) Is é nó is í an tAire, le comhthoiliú an Aire Airgeadais, a chinnfidh téarmaí agus coinníollacha fostaíochta múinteoirí agus foirne eile scoile a gceapfaidh bord iad agus a bheidh le híoc as airgead a sholáthróidh an tOireachtas.
(6) Más rud é go mbeidh an t-iomlán nó cuid de luach saothair agus d'aoisliúntas múinteoirí agus foirne eile scoile á íoc nó le híoc as airgead a sholáthróidh an tOireachtas, is é nó is í an tAire, le comhthoiliú an Aire Airgeadais, a chinnfidh an luach saothair nó an t-aoisliúntas sin ó am go ham.
(7) Más rud é, ag tosach feidhme an ailt seo, gur duine nó comhlacht daoine seachas bord na scoile fostóir na múinteoirí nó na foirne eile in iar-bhunscoil, ansin beidh feidhm ag fo-ailt (1), (3) agus (5) amhail is dá ndéanfaí an duine nó an comhlacht arb é nó í, ag an tosach feidhme sin agus ó am go ham dá éis sin, an fostóir sin a chur in ionad an bhoird mar a thagraítear dó san fho-alt sin.
(8) Ach amháin i gcás comhaontaithe dá bhforáiltear i bhfo-alt (3), ní bheidh d'éifeacht le haon ní san Acht seo na téarmaí agus na coinníollacha faoina raibh múinteoirí agus foireann eile scoile fostaithe roimh thosach feidhme an Achta seo a athrú tar éis an tosach feidhme sin.
(9) Ní bheidh feidhm ag an alt seo maidir le múinteoirí nó foireann eile scoile a bheidh bunaithe nó faoi chothabháil ag coiste gairmoideachais.
CUID VI
Ilghnéitheach
Scoilbhliain, seachtain scoile, lá scoile.
25.—Féadfaidh an tAire, ó am go ham, tar éis dul i gcomhairle le pátrúin, le cumainn náisiúnta tuismitheoirí, le heagraíochtaí aitheanta bainistíochta scoile agus le ceardchumainn aitheanta agus comhlachais foirne atá ionadaitheach do mhúinteoirí, na nithe seo a leanas a fhorordú—
(a) an líon íosta laethanta i scoilbhliain a mbeidh scoil ar oscailt lena linn chun mic léinn a ghlacadh agus teagasc a chur ar fáil dóibh,
(b) an líon íosta uaireanta an chloig teagaisc i lá scoile nó i seachtain scoile, agus
(c) nithe ar bith a bhaineann le fad na scoilbhliana, na seachtaine scoile nó an lae scoile agus le heagrú agus struchtúr na bliana, na seachtaine nó an lae sin.
Cumann tuismitheoirí.
26.—(1) Féadfaidh tuismitheoirí mac léinn scoile aitheanta cumann tuismitheoirí don scoil sin a bhunú agus a chothabháil as measc a lín agus beidh an ceart ag tuismitheoirí uile mhic léinn na scoile sin a bheith ina gcomhaltaí den chumann sin.
(2) Déanfaidh cumann tuismitheoirí leasanna na mac léinn i scoil a chur chun cinn i gcomhar le bord, le Príomhoide, le múinteoirí agus le mic léinn na scoile agus, chun na críche sin, féadfaidh sé—
(a) comhairle a thabhairt don Phríomhoide nó don bhord maidir le haon ní a bhaineann leis an scoil agus beidh aird ag an bPríomhoide nó ag an mbord, de réir mar a bheidh, ar aon chomhairle den sórt sin, agus
(b) clár gníomhaíochtaí a ghlacadh lena ndéanfar páirteachas tuismitheoirí, i gcomhairle leis an bPríomhoide, in oibriú na scoile, a chur chun cinn.
(3) Déanfaidh an bord teagmháil a chur chun cinn idir an scoil, tuismitheoirí mac léinn sa scoil sin agus an pobal agus, i gcás tuismitheoirí ar mian leo cumann tuismitheoirí a bhunú, déanfaidh sé éascaíocht dóibh agus tabharfaidh sé gach cúnamh réasúnach dóibh agus do chumann tuismitheoirí nuair a bheidh sé bunaithe.
(4) (a) Déanfaidh cumann tuismitheoirí, tar éis dul i gcomhairle lena chomhaltaí, rialacha lena rialófar a chruinnithe agus a ghnó agus seoladh a ghnóthaí.
(b) Más rud é go mbeidh cumann tuismitheoirí cleamhnaithe le cumann náisiúnta tuismitheoirí, beidh na rialacha dá dtagraítear i mír (a) i gcomhréir le treoirlínte a bheidh eisithe ag an gcumann náisiúnta tuismitheoirí sin le comhthoiliú an Aire.
Faisnéis do mhic léinn agus comhairle mac léinn.
27.—(1) Déanfaidh bord nósanna imeachta a bhunú agus a chothabháil chun faisnéis a thabhairt do mhic léinn i scoil maidir le gníomhaíochtaí na scoile.
(2) Maidir leis na nósanna imeachta a bhunófar agus a chothabhálfar faoi fho-alt (1), éascóidh siad páirteachas na mac léinn in oibriú na scoile, ag féáchaint d'aois agus do thaithí na mac léinn, in éineacht lena dtuismitheoirí agus lena múinteoirí.
(3) Féadfaidh mic léinn iar-bhunscoile comhairle mac léinn a bhunú agus, gan dochar do ghinearáltacht fho-alt (1), spreagfaidh bord iar-bhunscoile na mic léinn chun comhairle mac léinn a bhunú agus déanfaidh sé éascaíocht, agus tabharfaidh sé gach cúnamh réasúnach—
(a) do mhic léinn ar mian leo comhairle mac léinn a bhunú, agus
(b) do chomhairlí mac léinn nuair a bheidh siad bunaithe.
(4) Déanfaidh comhairle mac léinn leasanna na scoile agus páirteachas mac léinn i ngnóthaí na scoile a chur chun cinn, i gcomhar leis an mbord, leis na tuismitheoirí agus leis na múinteoirí.
(5) Is é an bord a tharraingeoidh suas na rialacha le haghaidh comhairle mac léinn a bhunú, i gcomhréir le cibé treoirlínte a eiseoidh an tAire ó am go ham, agus féadfaidh na rialacha sin socrú a bheith iontu le haghaidh comhaltaí a thoghadh agus comhairle mac léinn a dhíscaoileadh.
(6) Féadfaidh comhairle mac léinn, tar éis dul i gcomhairle leis an mbord, rialacha a dhéanamh lena rialófar a cruinnithe agus a gnó agus seoladh a gnóthaí.
Nósanna imeachta maidir le gearáin agus nósanna imeachta eile.
28.—(1) Féadfaidh an tAire ó am go ham, tar éis dul i gcomhairle le pátrúin scoileanna aitheanta, le cumainn náisiúnta tuismitheoirí, le heagraíochtaí aitheanta bainistíochta scoile agus le ceardchumainn aitheanta agus comhlachais foirne atá ionadaitheach do mhúinteoirí, nósanna imeachta a fhorordú ar dá réir—
(a) a fhéadfaidh tuismitheoir mic léinn nó, i gcás mic léinn a bhfuil 18 mbliana d'aois slánaithe aige nó aici, an mac léinn, achomharc a dhéanamh chun an bhoird in aghaidh cinnidh múinteora nó comhalta eile foirne scoile,
(b) a éistfear gearáin ó mhic léinn nó óna dtuismitheoirí, ar gearáin iad a bhaineann le scoil na mac léinn (seachas gearáin a bhféadfar déileáil leo faoi mhír (a) nó faoi alt 29), agus
(c) a dhéanfar gníomh leigheasta iomchuí, i gcás inar gá sin, de dhroim achomhairc nó mar fhreagra ar ghearán.
(2) Beidh aird ag an Aire, le linn nósanna imeachta a fhorordú chun críocha an ailt seo, ar a inmhianaithe atá sé achomhairc a chinneadh agus gearáin a réiteach sa scoil lena mbaineann.
Achomhairc chuig an Ard-Rúnaí.
29.—(1) Más rud é, maidir le bord nó le duine atá ag gníomhú thar ceann an bhoird—
(a) go n-eisiafaidh sé nó sí mac léinn go buan ó scoil, nó
(b) go ndéanfaidh sé nó sí mac léinn a fhionraí ó fhreastal ar scoil ar feadh tréimhse a fhorordófar chun críche na míre seo, nó
(c) go ndiúltóidh sé nó sí mac léinn a rollú i scoil, nó
(d) go ndéanfaidh sé nó sí cinneadh d'aicme a gcinnfidh an tAire ó am go ham, tar éis dul i gcomhairle le pátrúin, le cumainn náisiúnta tuismitheoirí, le heagraíochtaí aitheanta bainistíochta scoile, le ceardchumainn aitheanta agus le comhlachais foirne atá ionadaitheach do mhúinteoirí, go bhféadfar achomharc a dhéanamh ina haghaidh de réir an ailt seo,
féadfaidh tuismitheoir an mhic léinn nó, i gcás mic léinn a bhfuil 18 mbliana d'aois slánaithe aige nó aici, an mac léinn, laistigh de thréimhse réasúnach ón dáta ar cuireadh an cinneadh in iúl don tuismitheoir nó don mhac léinn agus tar éis aon nósanna imeachta achomhairc a bheidh curtha ar fáil ag an scoil nó ag an bpátrún de réir alt 28 a bheith tugtha chun críche, achomharc in aghaidh an chinnidh sin a dhéanamh chun Ard-Rúnaí na Roinne Oideachais agus Eolaíochta agus déanfaidh coiste a cheapfar faoi fho-alt (2) an t-achomharc sin a éisteacht.
(2) Déanfaidh an tAire, d'fhonn achomharc faoin alt seo a éisteacht agus a chinneadh, coiste amháin nó níos mó a cheapadh (dá ngairtear “coiste achomhairc” san alt seo) agus beidh Cigire agus cibé daoine eile is cuí leis an Aire ar gach coiste acu sin.
(3) Más rud é go gceapfar coiste faoi fho-alt (2), déanfaidh an tAire duine amháin dá líon a cheapadh chun bheith ina chathaoirleach nó ina cathaoirleach ar an gcoiste sin agus, i gcás comhionannais vótaí, beidh an dara vóta nó vóta réitigh ag an gcathaoirleach.
(4) Gníomhóidh coiste achomhairc, le linn achomharc faoin alt seo a éisteacht agus a chinneadh, de réir cibé nósanna imeachta a chinnfidh an tAire ó am go ham tar éis dul i gcomhairle le pátrúin, le cumainn náisiúnta tuismitheoirí, le heagraíochtaí aitheanta bainistíochta scoile agus le ceardchumainn aitheanta agus comhlachais foirne atá ionadaitheach do mhúinteoirí agus cinnteofar leis na nósanna imeachta sin—
(a) go gcabhrófar leis na páirtithe san achomharc teacht ar chomhaontú maidir leis na nithe is ábhar don achomharc i gcás ina mbeidh an coiste achomhairc den tuairim gurb indéanta teacht ar chomhaontú den sórt sin sna himthosca,
(b) go seolfar éisteachtaí leis an bhfoirmiúlacht is lú a bheidh ar comhréir le héisteacht chóir a thabhairt do gach páirtí, agus
(c) go ndéileálfar le hachomhairc laistigh de thréimhse 30 lá ón dáta ar a bhfaighidh an tArd-Rúnaí an t-achomharc, ach amháin más rud é, ar iarratas i scríbhinn ón gcoiste achomhairc ina luafar na cúiseanna atá le moill i dtaca leis an achomharc a chinneadh, go dtoileoidh an tArd-Rúnaí i scríbhinn an tréimhse a fhadú de thréimhse nach faide ná 14 lá.
(5) Ar achomharc a dhéanfar faoin alt seo a chinneadh, déanfaidh an coiste achomhairc fógra i scríbhinn maidir lena chinneadh ar an achomharc agus maidir leis na cúiseanna a bhí leis an gcinneadh sin a chur chuig an Ard-Rúnaí.
(6) Más rud é—
(a) go seasfaidh coiste achomhairc le casaoid go hiomlán nó go páirteach, agus
(b) gur dealraitheach don choiste achomhairc gur ceart aon ní ab ábhar don chasaoid (a mhéid a seasadh léi) a leigheas,
cuirfidh an coiste achomhairc moltaí faoi bhráid an Ard-Rúnaí maidir leis an ngníomh a bheidh le déanamh.
(7) A luaithe is indéanta tar éis don Ard-Rúnaí an fógra dá dtagraítear i bhfo-alt (5) a fháil—
(a) déanfaidh an tArd-Rúnaí cinneadh an choiste achomhairc agus na cúiseanna a bhí leis a chur in iúl, trí fhógra i scríbhinn, don duine a rinne an t-achomharc agus don bhord, agus
(b) i gcás lena mbaineann fo-alt (6), féadfaidh an tArd-Rúnaí, san fhógra sin, cibé ordacháin a thabhairt don bhord is dealraitheach don Ard-Rúnaí (ag féachaint d'aon mholtaí a bheidh déanta ag an gcoiste achomhairc) a bheith fóirsteanach chun an ní ab ábhar don achomharc a leigheas agus gníomhóidh an bord de réir na n-ordachán sin.
(8) Déanfaidh an tAire, i gcomhairle le pátrúin scoileanna, le cumainn náisiúnta tuismitheoirí, le heagraíochtaí aitheanta bainistíochta scoile agus le ceardchumainn aitheanta agus comhlachais foirne atá ionadaitheach do mhúinteoirí, oibriú an ailt seo agus alt 28 a athbhreithniú ó am go ham agus beidh an chéad athbhreithniú den sórt sin ann tráth nach déanaí ná dhá bhliain tar éis thosach feidhme an ailt seo.
(9) I gcás scoile a bheidh bunaithe nó faoi chothabháil ag coiste gairmoideachais, is chun an choiste gairmoideachais a bheidh ábhar achomhairc ann in aghaidh chinneadh ó bhord na scoile sin, ar an gcéad ásc, agus ina dhiaidh sin chun an Ard-Rúnaí de réir fho-alt (1).
(10) Déanfaidh an tAire, ó am go ham, tar éis dul i gcomhairle le coistí gairmoideachais, le cumainn náisiúnta tuismitheoirí agus le ceardchumainn aitheanta agus comhlachais foirne atá ionadaitheach do mhúinteoirí, na nithe seo a leanas a fhorordú—
(a) na nósanna imeachta le haghaidh achomharc faoin alt seo chun coistí gairmoideachais, agus
(b) cé na hachomhairc lena bhfiosrófar an raibh an nós imeachta a ghlac bord, le linn dó teacht ar chinneadh nó le linn dó achomharc a sheoladh, cóir agus réasúnach agus cé na hachomhairc a sheolfar trí athéisteacht iomlán.
(11) Féadfaidh an tArd-Rúnaí, de réir ailt 4(1)(i) agus 9 den Acht um Bainistíocht na Seirbhíse Poiblí, 1997, an fhreagracht i gcomhlíonadh na bhfeidhmeanna a bhfuil an tArd-Rúnaí freagrach iontu faoin alt seo a shannadh d'oifigeach eile de chuid na Roinne Oideachais agus Eolaíochta.
(12) Chun críocha fho-alt (1)(c), ciallaíonn “mac léinn” duine a iarrann rollú i scoil agus féadfaidh an duine sin, nó tuismitheoirí an duine sin, achomharc a dhéanamh in aghaidh diúltú é nó í a rollú ar an modh céanna ar a bhféadfaidh mac léinn, nó tuismitheoirí mic léinn, achomharc a dhéanamh in aghaidh cinnidh faoin alt seo.
Curaclam.
30.—(1) Féadfaidh an tAire ó am go ham, tar éis dul i gcomhairle le pátrúin scoileanna, le cumainn náisiúnta tuismitheoirí, le heagraíochtaí aitheanta bainistíochta scoile agus le ceardchumainn aitheanta agus comhlachais foirne atá ionadaitheach do mhúinteoirí, de réir mar is cuí leis an Aire, an curaclam do scoileanna aitheanta a fhorordú, eadhon—
(a) na hábhair a bheidh le tairiscint i scoileanna aitheanta,
(b) siollabas gach ábhair,
(c) an méid ama teagaisc a thabharfar do gach ábhar, agus
(d) an soláthar treorach agus comhairliúcháin a bheidh le tairiscint i scoileanna.
(2) Gan dochar do ghinearáltacht fho-alt (1)—
(a) beidh aird ag an Aire ar a inmhianaithe atá sé cabhrú le scoileanna a gcumhachtaí a fheidhmiú de réir mar a fhoráiltear faoi fho-alt (4),
(b) beidh aird ag an Aire ar spiorad sainiúil scoile nó aicme scoile le linn dó nó di a fheidhmeanna nó a feidhmeanna faoin alt seo a fheidhmiú,
(c) féadfaidh an tAire ordacháin a thabhairt do scoileanna, i gcás inar cuí leis nó léi é, a chinntiú go bhfuil na hábhair agus na siollabais a leantar sna scoileanna sin cuí agus oiriúnach do riachtanais oideachais agus ghairme na mac léinn sna scoileanna sin,
(d) cinnteoidh an tAire, maidir leis an méid ama teagaisc a thabharfar d'ábhair ar an gcuraclam de réir mar a chinnfidh an tAire i ngach lá scoile, gur méid é a fhágfaidh gur féidir cibé am réasúnach teagaisc a chinnfidh an bord le toiliú an phátrúin a thabhairt d'ábhair a bhaineann le spiorad sainiúil na scoile nó a éiríonn as an spiorad sin, agus
(e) ní cheanglóidh an tAire ar aon mhac léinn freastal ar theagasc in ábhar ar bith atá contrártha do choinsias thuismitheoir an mhic léinn nó, i gcás mic léinn a bhfuil 18 mbliana d'aois slánaithe aige nó aici, do choinsias an mhic léinn.
(3) Féadfaidh an tAire—
(a) dul i gcomhairle leis an gComhairle Náisiúnta Curaclaim agus Measúnachta agus le cibé daoine eile nó comhlachtaí eile daoine is cuí leis an Aire maidir le haon ní a bhaineann leis an gcuraclam do scoileanna aitheanta, agus
(b) cibé comhlachtaí daoine is cuí leis an Aire a bhunú chun taighde a sheoladh agus comhairle a thabhairt dó nó di maidir le nithe a bhaineann lena dhualgais nó lena dualgais faoin alt seo.
(4) Féadfaidh scoil, faoi réir an cheanglais go ndéanfar an curaclam arna chinneadh ag an Aire a mhúineadh sa scoil sin, cúrsaí teagaisc a chur ar fáil i cibé ábhair eile is cuí leis an mbord.
Múineadh trí Ghaeilge.
31.—(1) Bunóidh an tAire comhlacht daoine—
(a) (i) chun soláthar téacsleabhar agus áiseanna d'fhoghlaim agus do mhúineadh trí Ghaeilge a phleanáil agus a chomheagrú,
(ii) chun comhairle a thabhairt don Aire maidir le beartais a bhaineann le hoideachas trí mheán na Gaeilge a chur ar fáil agus a chur chun cinn i scoileanna aitheanta i gcoitinne agus i scoileanna atá suite i limistéar Gaeltachta,
(iii) chun seirbhísí taca a chur ar fáil do na scoileanna sin trí mheán na Gaeilge, agus
(iv) chun taighde a sheoladh ar aon ní nó ar gach ní lena mbaineann an mhír seo,
agus
(b) chun soláthar téacsleabhar agus áiseanna d'fhoghlaim agus do mhúineadh na Gaeilge a phleanáil agus a chomheagrú agus chun taighde a sheoladh, agus comhairle a thabhairt don Aire, maidir le straitéisí a bhfuil de chuspóir leo feabhas a chur ar éifeachtacht mhúineadh na Gaeilge i scoileanna aitheanta agus i lárionaid oideachais.
(2) Féadfaidh an tAire, le hordú arna dhéanamh le toiliú an Aire Airgeadais, aon cheann dá fheidhmeanna nó dá feidhmeanna i leith na nithe dá dtagraítear i bhfo-alt (1) a tharmligean chuig an gcomhlacht a bhunófar de réir an fho-ailt sin agus déanfaidh an comhlacht sin na feidhmeanna sin a chomhall faoi stiúradh agus faoi rialú an Aire.
(3) Maidir leis an gcomhlacht a bhunófar de réir fho-alt (1)—
(a) déanfaidh sé, le toiliú an Aire, coiste a bhunú chun cabhrú leis na feidhmeanna a thugtar dó faoi fho-alt (1)(b) a chomhlíonadh, agus
(b) féadfaidh sé tráth ar bith, le toiliú an Aire, coiste a cheapfar faoin bhfo-alt seo a dhíscaoileadh nó comhaltas den sórt sin a bhaint de chomhalta coiste.
(4) Déanfaidh an comhlacht a bhunófar de réir fho-alt (1), ó am go ham, de réir mar is cuí leis, comhairle a thabhairt don Chomhairle Náisiúnta Curaclaim agus Measúnachta maidir le nithe a bhaineann—
(a) le múineadh na Gaeilge,
(b) le hoideachas a chur ar fáil trí mheán na Gaeilge, lena n-áirítear nithe a bhaineann leis an gcuraclam do bhunscoileanna agus d'iar-bhunscoileanna a chuireann oideachas trí mheán na Gaeilge ar fáil agus le nósanna imeachta measúnachta a úsáidtear sna scoileanna sin, agus
(c) le riachtanais oideachais daoine a chónaíonn i limistéar Gaeltachta,
agus beidh aird ag an gComhairle Náisiúnta Curaclaim agus Measúnachta ar aon chomhairle den sórt sin le linn di a feidhmeanna a fheidhmiú.
(5) Féadfaidh an tAire, le hordú, aon ordú arna dhéanamh faoin alt seo, lena n-áirítear ordú arna dhéanamh faoin bhfo-alt seo, a leasú nó a chúlghairm.
(6) I ngach bliain airgeadais, féadfaidh an tAire le comhthoiliú an Aire Airgeadais deontas nó deontais a thabhairt, as airgead a sholáthróidh an tOireachtas, don chomhlacht a cheapfar de réir fho-alt (1) chun críocha caiteachais ag an gcomhlacht sin i gcomhlíonadh a fheidhmeanna.
(7) Féadfaidh an tAire cibé tacaíocht rúnaíochta agus riaracháin a mheasfaidh an tAire is gá a chur ar fáil do chomhlacht a bhunófar faoin alt seo.
Míbhuntáiste oideachasúil.
32.—(1) Déanfaidh an tAire le hordú, tar éis dul i gcomhairle le pátrúin, le cumainn náisiúnta tuismitheoirí, le heagraíochtaí aitheanta bainistíochta scoile, le ceardchumainn aitheanta agus comhlachais foirne atá ionadaitheach do mhúinteoirí agus le cibé daoine eile is cuí leis an Aire, coiste a bhunú, dá ngairtear an “coiste um míbhuntáiste oideachasúil” anseo ina dhiaidh seo, chun comhairle a thabhairt dó nó di maidir le beartais agus straitéisí a bheidh le glacadh chun míbhuntáiste oideachasúil a shainaithint agus a cheartú.
(2) Faoi réir fho-alt (3), ceapfaidh an tAire daoine chun bheith ina gcomhaltaí de choiste um míbhuntáiste oideachasúil ar feadh cibé tréimhse, nach faide ná trí bliana, is cuí leis nó léi agus féadfaidh sé nó sí na ceapacháin sin a athnuachan de réir mar is cuí leis nó léi.
(3) Déanfar suas lena leath de chomhaltas an choiste um míbhuntáiste oideachasúil a cheapadh as measc ainmnitheach ó cibé comhlachtaí saorálacha agus comhlachtaí eile a bhfuil cuspóirí acu is dóigh leis an Aire a bheith iomchuí maidir le hobair an choiste.
(4) Féadfaidh an tAire, le hordú, aon ordú arna dhéanamh faoin alt seo, lena n-áirítear ordú arna dhéanamh faoin bhfo-alt seo, a leasú nó a chúlghairm.
(5) Féadfaidh an coiste um míbhuntáiste oideachasúil, a luaithe is indéanta tar éis a bhunaithe agus, dá éis sin, ó am go ham de réir mar is cuí leis, ráiteas a ullmhú agus a chur faoi bhráid an Aire ina luafar—
(a) beartais bheartaithe agus straitéisí beartaithe chun míbhuntáiste oideachasúil a shainaithint agus a cheartú, i ndáil le cibé tréimhse is cuí leis, agus
(b) na réimsí gníomhaíochta dá dtugann an coiste tosaíocht.
(6) Le linn don choiste um míbhuntáiste oideachasúil ráiteas dá bhforáiltear i bhfo-alt (5) a ullmhú, beidh aird aige ar na nithe seo a leanas—
(a) na hacmhainní, lena n-áirítear na hacmhainní airgeadais, atá ar fáil, agus
(b) leas an phobail i dtaca lena chinntiú go ndéanfar na hacmhainní atá ar fáil a chur chun feidhme ar mhodh éifeachtach éifeachtúil.
(7) I ngach bliain airgeadais, féadfaidh an tAire le comhthoiliú an Aire Airgeadais deontas nó deontais a thabhairt, as airgead a sholáthróidh an tOireachtas, don choiste um míbhuntáiste oideachasúil chun críocha caiteachais ag an gcoiste sin i gcomhlíonadh a fheidhmeanna.
(8) Féadfaidh an tAire cibé tacaíocht rúnaíochta agus riaracháin a mheasfaidh an tAire is gá a chur ar fáil don choiste um míbhuntáiste oideachasúil.
(9) San alt seo, ciallaíonn “míbhuntáiste oideachasúil” na baic ar an oideachas de dhroim míbhuntáiste shóisialta nó eacnamaíoch a choisceann mic léinn ar thairbhe chuí a bhaint as an oideachas i scoileanna.
Rialacháin.
33.—Féadfaidh an tAire, tar éis dul i gcomhairle le pátrúin, le cumainn náisiúnta tuismitheoirí, le heagraíochtaí aitheanta bainistíochta scoile agus le ceardchumainn aitheanta agus comhlachais foirne atá ionadaitheach do mhúinteoirí, rialacháin a dhéanamh chun éifeacht a thabhairt don Acht seo agus, gan dochar do ghinearáltacht an mhéid sin roimhe seo, féadfaidh an tAire rialacháin a dhéanamh maidir le haon cheann nó le gach ceann de na nithe seo a leanas:
(a) aitheantas a thabhairt do scoileanna agus aitheantas a tharraingt siar ó scoileanna;
(b) an tAire do thabhairt deontas do scoileanna agus do lárionaid oideachais;
(c) ceapadh agus cáilíochtaí daoine atá le fostú mar mhúinteoirí i scoileanna nó i lárionaid oideachais;
(d) cigireacht a dhéanamh ar scoileanna;
(e) tógáil, cothabháil agus trealmhú scoileanna;
(f) fad na scoilbhliana, na seachtaine scoile agus an lae scoile;
(g) mic léinn a ligean isteach i scoileanna;
(h) rochtain ar scoileanna ag oifigigh freastail scoile agus ag daoine eile;
(i) rochtain ar scoileanna agus ar lárionaid oideachais ag mic léinn atá faoi mhíchumas nó a bhfuil riachtanais speisialta eile oideachais acu, lena n-áirítear nithe a bhaineann le cóiríocht réasúnach agus cúnamh agus trealamh teicniúil do mhic léinn den sórt sin;
(j) nósanna imeachta chun idirchaidreamh agus comhoibriú éifeachtach a chur chun cinn ag scoileanna agus lárionaid oideachais—
(i) le scoileanna eile agus lárionaid eile oideachais,
(ii) le húdaráis áitiúla (de réir bhrí an Achta Rialtais Áitiúil, 1941),
(iii) le boird sláinte (de réir bhrí an Achta Sláinte, 1970), agus
(iv) le comhlachtaí saorálacha agus comhlachtaí eile a bhfuil spéis ar leith acu san oideachas, go háirithe, in oideachas mac léinn a bhfuil riachtanais speisialta oideachais acu;
(k) achomhairc, agus
(l) curaclam scoileanna.
Bliain airgeadais.
34.—San Acht seo, ciallaíonn “bliain airgeadais” cibé tréimhse 12 mhí a fhorordóidh an tAire.
Leasú ar an Intermediate Education (Ireland) Act, 1878.
35.—(1) Leasaítear leis seo alt 5 den Intermediate Education (Ireland) Act, 1878, i bhfo-alt (4), trí “;provided that no examination shall be held in any subject of religious instruction, nor any payment made in respect thereof” a scriosadh.
(2) Gan dochar d'fheidhm an Intermediate Education (Ireland) Act, 1878, i leith mac léinn fireannach agus mac léinn baineannach araon, leasaítear leis seo alt 6 den Acht sin trí fho-alt (4) a aisghairm.
Leasú ar an Acht Oideachais Ghairme Beatha, 1930.
36.—Leasaítear leis seo an tAcht Oideachais Ghairme Beatha, 1930—
(a) in alt 105(1), trí “dá oifigigh” a scriosadh, agus
(b) in ailt 106 agus 107, trí “duine” a chur in ionad “oifigeach” agus in ionad “oifigigh”, cibé áit a bhfuil siad.
Lárionaid tacaíochta oideachais.
37.—(1) San alt seo ciallaíonn “lárionad tacaíochta oideachais” áit ina gcuirtear seirbhísí ar fáil do scoileanna, do mhúinteoirí, do thuismitheoirí, do bhoird agus do dhaoine iomchuí eile ar seirbhísí iad a thacaíonn leo le linn dóibh a bhfeidhmeanna a chomhall ó thaobh oideachas a chur ar fáil agus ar áit í atá aitheanta chun na críche sin ag an Aire de réir fho-alt (2).
(2) Féadfaidh an tAire áit a aithint mar lárionad tacaíochta oideachais agus, i gcás ina n-aithneoidh an tAire áit amhlaidh, cuirfidh sé nó nó sí faoi deara ainm agus seoladh an lárionaid sin a thaifeadadh i gclár a choinneoidh an tAire agus a bheidh ar fáil lena iniúchadh ag daoine den phobal le linn gnáthuaireanta oibre.
(3) Beidh coiste bainistíochta ag lárionad tacaíochta oideachais chun gnó agus foireann an lárionaid sin a bhainistiú.
(4) Beidh coiste a bhunófar de réir fho-alt (3) ina chomhlacht corpraithe ag a mbeidh comharbas suthain agus beidh cumhacht agartha aige agus beidh sé inagartha faoina ainm corpraithe agus ní bheidh aon ábhar caingne ann in aghaidh comhalta de bhord i leith aon ní a dhéanfaidh an comhalta sin de mheon macánta agus de bhun a gcuid feidhmeanna mar chomhaltaí den sórt sin.
(5) Féadfaidh an tAire aitheantas a tharraingt siar ó lárionad tacaíochta oideachais.
(6) Féadfaidh an tAire, ó am go ham, rialacháin a dhéanamh maidir le gach ceann nó le haon cheann de na nithe seo a leanas:
(a) nósanna imeachta chun coistí bainistíochta a cheapadh;
(b) ceapadh foirne agus luach saothair foirne;
(c) deontais a thabhairt do lárionaid tacaíochta oideachais;
(d) faisnéis a chur ar fáil don Aire maidir le haon ní a bhaineann le hoibriú lárionad tacaíochta oideachais;
(e) rochtain, ag daoine a cheapfaidh an tAire, ar lárionad tacaíochta oideachais agus ar thaifid airgeadais agus taifid eile an lárionaid tacaíochta oideachais sin, agus
(f) cibé nithe eile a bhaineann le hoibriú lárionad den sórt sin is cuí leis an Aire.
CUID VII
An Chomhairle Náisiúnta Curaclaim agus Measúnachta
An lá bunaithe.
38.—Déanfaidh an tAire, le hordú, lá a cheapadh chun bheith ina lá bunaithe chun críocha na Coda seo.
An Chomhairle Náisiúnta Curaclaim agus Measúnachta a bhunú.
39.—(1) Beidh arna bhunú ar an lá bunaithe comhlacht ar a dtabharfar the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, nó, sa Ghaeilge, an Chomhairle Náisiúnta Curaclaim agus Measúnachta (dá ngairtear “an Chomhairle” san Acht seo) chun na feidhmeanna a shanntar dó leis an Acht seo nó faoi a chomhlíonadh.
(2) Beidh an Chomhairle ina comhlacht corpraithe ag a mbeidh comharbas suthain agus séala oifigiúil agus beidh cumhacht agartha aici agus féadfar í a agairt ina hainm corpraithe agus, le toiliú an Aire, beidh cumhacht aici talamh nó leas i dtalamh a fháil, a shealbhú agus a dhiúscairt agus maoin eile a fháil, a shealbhú agus a dhiúscairt.
(3) Beidh feidhm ag Sceideal 1 maidir leis an gComhairle.
Comhdhéanamh agus ceapadh.
40.—(1) Déanfar comhdhéanamh na Comhairle a chinneadh le hordú, arna dhéanamh ag an Aire tar éis dul i gcomhairle le pátrúin, le cumainn náisiúnta tuismitheoirí, le heagraíochtaí aitheanta bainistíochta scoile, le ceardchumainn aitheanta agus comhlachais foirne atá ionadaitheach do mhúinteoirí agus le cibé daoine eile nó comhlachtaí eile daoine is cuí leis an Aire.
(2) Le linn dó nó di comhdhéanamh na Comhairle a chinneadh, cinnteoidh an tAire, a mhéid is indéanta, maidir le comhaltas na Comhairle—
(a) go bhfuil sé ionadaitheach do chomhlachtaí agus daoine atá bainteach leis an gcóras oideachais ag leibhéil na luathóige, na bunscoile agus na hiar-bhunscoile, agus go háirithe do chumainn náisiúnta tuismitheoirí, d'eagraíochtaí aitheanta bainistíochta scoile agus do cheardchumainn aitheanta agus comhlachais foirne atá ionadaitheach do mhúinteoirí, agus
(b) go bhfuil daoine eile san áireamh ann—
(i) a bhfuil taithí nó scileanna acu, lena n-áirítear taithí agus scileanna i dtaca le cúrsaí gnó agus tionscail, atá, i dtuairim an Aire, iomchuí maidir le hobair na Comhairle agus a chomhlánódh taithí agus scileanna na ndaoine a cheapfar de réir mhír (a),
(ii) a bhfuil spéis ar leith acu in oideachas mac léinn atá faoi mhíchumas nó a bhfuil riachtanais speisialta eile oideachais acu, nó a bhfuil taithí acu ar oideachas den sórt sin, nó
(iii) atá ionadaitheach d'eagraíochtaí Gaeilge,
de réir mar is cuí leis an Aire.
(3) Féadfaidh an tAire, le hordú, ordú arna dhéanamh faoin alt seo, lena n-áirítear ordú arna dhéanamh faoin bhfo-alt seo, a leasú nó a chúlghairm.
(4) Déanfaidh an tAire comhaltaí na Comhairle a cheapadh de réir rialachán arna dtarraingt suas ag an Aire tar éis dul i gcomhairle le pátrúin, le cumainn náisiúnta tuismitheoirí, le heagraíochtaí aitheanta bainistíochta scoile, le ceardchumainn aitheanta agus comhlachais foirne atá ionadaitheach do mhúinteoirí agus le cibé daoine eile nó comhlachtaí eile daoine is cuí leis an Aire.
Cuspóirí agus feidhmeanna.
41.—(1) Is é is cuspóir don Chomhairle comhairle a thabhairt don Aire maidir le nithe a bhaineann—
(a) leis an gcuraclam don oideachas luath-óige, do bhunscoileanna agus d'iar-bhunscoileanna, agus
(b) leis na nósanna imeachta measúnachta a úsáidtear i scoileanna agus le scrúduithe in ábhair atá mar chuid den churaclam.
(2) Gan dochar do ghinearáltacht fho-alt (1), is feidhm de chuid na Comhairle:
(a) an curaclam do scoileanna nó aon chuid den churaclam sin, agus na siollabais a mhúintear, a athbhreithniú ó am go ham agus comhairle a thabhairt don Aire;
(b) comhairle a thabhairt don Aire maidir le modhanna cuí chun éifeachtacht an oideachais a chuirtear ar fáil i scoileanna a mheasúnú, ag féachaint go háirithe do mheicníochtaí trína bhféadfar mic léinn a bhfuil fadhbanna acu i dtaca lena bpoitéinseal a bhaint amach a shainaithint a luaithe is indéanta agus trína bhféadfar cabhrú leo;
(c) comhairle a thabhairt don Aire maidir le straitéisí a chabhróidh le mic léinn aistriú gan stró ón mbunscoil go dtí an iar-bhunscoil;
(d) comhairle a thabhairt don Aire ó am go ham maidir leis na caighdeáin eolais agus scileanna is ceart do mhic léinn ag aoisleibhéil éagsúla a bhaint amach agus maidir leis na meicníochtaí chun gnóthú na gcaighdeán sin a mheasúnú, ag féachaint do chaighdeáin náisiúnta agus idirnáisiúnta agus do dhea-chleachtas i ndáil leis an measúnacht sin;
(e) riachtanais oiliúna inseirbhíse múinteoirí a athbhreithniú ó am go ham, lena n-áirítear riachtanais de dhroim curaclaim, ábhair nó siollabais nua a thabhairt isteach i scoileanna, agus comhairle a thabhairt don Aire i ndáil leis na riachtanais sin;
(f) comhairle a thabhairt don Aire maidir leis na riachtanais, ó thaobh curaclaim agus siollabas, atá ag mic léinn atá faoi mhíchumas nó a bhfuil riachtanais speisialta eile oideachais acu;
(g) comhairle a thabhairt don Aire maidir le straitéisí a bhfuil de chuspóir leo feabhas a chur ar éifeachtacht mhúineadh agus úsáid na Gaeilge i scoileanna;
(h) airgead agus sócmhainní uile na Comhairle a chothabháil, a bhainistiú, a riaradh agus a infheistiú;
(i) taighde agus forbairt san oideachas a chur chun cinn agus an taighde agus an fhorbairt sin a sheoladh nó a choimisiúnú i gcás inar cuí sin ag féachaint dá cuspóirí agus dá feidhmeanna;
(j) comhionannas rochtana ar an oideachas i gcoitinne agus ar theagasc in aon ábhair ar leith, ag mic léinn fhireannacha agus mic léinn bhaineannacha, a chur chun cinn;
(k) bronntanais airgid, talún nó maoine eile a ghlacadh ar cibé iontaobhais agus coinníollacha, más ann, a shonróidh na deontóirí, ar choinníoll nach bhfuil aon ní contrártha don Acht seo in aon iontaobhas nó coinníoll, agus
(l) gach aon ghníomh agus rud a dhéanamh is gá chun cuspóirí na Comhairle a chur ar aghaidh, lena n-áirítear cibé feidhmeanna a ordóidh an tAire ó am go ham i ndáil le hathbhreithniú agus leasú an churaclaim i scoileanna agus le measúnú thorthaí an oideachais a chuirtear ar fáil i scoileanna.
(3) Le linn don Chomhairle a feidhmeanna a chomhall—
(a) beidh aird aici ar impleachtaí na comhairle uaithi do na hacmhainní, lena n-áirítear na hacmhainní airgeadais, atá ar fáil agus déanfaidh sí, a mhéid is indéanta, na hacmhainní is gá chun éifeacht a thabhairt d'aon cheann dá cuid tograí a chainníochtú,
(b) beidh aird aici ar a inmhianaithe atá sé comhionannas a bhaint amach i dtaca le rochtain ar an oideachas, le rannpháirtíocht ann agus le tairbhe a bhaint as,
(c) gníomhóidh sí de réir cibé ordacháin a thabharfaidh an tAire don Chomhairle ó am go ham, lena n-áirítear ordacháin maidir leis an tosaíocht a bheidh le tabhairt d'fheidhmiú a feidhmeanna éagsúla aici, agus
(d) beidh aird aici ar a phraiticiúla atá sé aon chomhairle a bheartaíonn sí a thabhairt don Aire a chur i ngníomh.
Dul i gcomhairle le comhlachtaí ainmnithe.
42.—(1) Féadfaidh an tAire le hordú, chun críocha an ailt seo, daoine nó eagraíochtaí a ainmniú a bhfuil spéis ar leith acu i bhfeidhmiú a cuid feidhmeanna ag an gComhairle agus gairfear “comhlachtaí ainmnithe” anseo ina dhiaidh seo de na daoine nó de na heagraíochtaí a ainmneofar amhlaidh.
(2) Rachaidh an Chomhairle i gcomhairle le comhlachtaí ainmnithe ó am go ham de réir mar is cuí léi, agus rachaidh sí i gcomhairle leis na comhlachtaí sin nuair a iarrfaidh an tAire uirthi déanamh amhlaidh.
(3) Féadfaidh comhlacht ainmnithe tráth ar bith, de réir mar is cuí leis, uiríll a dhéanamh chuig an gComhairle maidir le haon ní a bhaineann le feidhmeanna na Comhairle agus breithneoidh an Chomhairle na huiríll sin agus cuirfidh sí toradh an bhreithnithe sin in iúl don chomhlacht ainmnithe.
(4) Déanfaidh an Chomhairle cóip de gach foilseachán a eiseoidh sí a thabhairt do gach comhlacht ainmnithe a luaithe is féidir tar éis é a eisiúint.
Príomhoifigeach feidhmiúcháin.
43.—(1) Déanfaidh an tAire, ó am go ham, príomhoifigeach feidhmiúcháin a cheapadh ar an gComhairle i gcáil lánaimseartha agus déanfaidh an príomhoifigeach feidhmiúcháin riarachán na Comhairle a sheoladh agus a bhainistiú agus é a rialú i gcoitinne, maille le foireann na Comhairle a bhainistiú agus a rialú.
(2) Maidir leis an duine atá, díreach roimh an lá ar a gceaptar an príomhoifigeach feidhmiúcháin faoi fho-alt (1), i seilbh oifige mar phríomhoifigeach feidhmiúcháin ar an gcomhlacht daoine ar a dtugtar an Chomhairle Náisiúnta Curaclaim agus Measúnachta, ar comhlacht neamhchorpraithe neamhreachtúil daoine é arna cheapadh ag an Aire, déanfar é nó í a cheapadh mar chéad phríomhoifigeach feidhmiúcháin ar an gComhairle, má thoilíonn sé nó sí amhlaidh.
(3) Déanfaidh an tAire an príomhoifigeach feidhmiúcháin a fhostú de réir cibé téarmaí agus coinníollacha, a bhféadfaidh iasacht ó oifig nó ó fhostaíocht eile a bheith san áireamh iontu, agus gheobhaidh an príomhoifigeach feidhmiúcháin cibé luach saothair, a chinnfidh an tAire ó am go ham le toiliú an Aire Airgeadais.
Foireann.
44.—(1) Féadfaidh an tAire, le toiliú an Aire Airgeadais, cibé daoine agus cibé líon daoine is cuí leis an Aire a cheapadh chun cabhrú leis an gComhairle a cuid feidhmeanna a chomhlíonadh.
(2) Déanfar na daoine a cheapfar de réir fho-alt (1) a fhostú de réir cibé téarmaí agus coinníollacha, a bhféadfaidh iasacht ó oifig nó ó fhostaíocht eile a bheith san áireamh iontu, agus gheobhaidh na daoine sin cibé luach saothair, a chinnfidh an tAire ó am go ham le toiliú an Aire Airgeadais.
(3) Féadfaidh an tAire cibé tacaíocht riaracháin agus rúnaíochta a mheasfaidh sé nó sí is gá a chur ar fáil don Chomhairle.
(4) Beidh feidhm ag Acht Choimisinéirí na Stát-Sheirbhíse, 1956, agus ag Achtanna Rialaithe na Státseirbhíse, 1956 go 1996, maidir le buanfhostaithe lánaimseartha den Chomhairle.
Deontais.
45.—I ngach bliain airgeadais, féadfaidh an tAire, le comhthoiliú an Aire Airgeadais, deontas nó deontais a thabhairt don Chomhairle, as airgead a sholáthróidh an tOireachtas, chun críocha caiteachais ag an gComhairle i gcomhlíonadh a feidhmeanna.
Cuntais agus faisnéis.
46.—(1) Coimeádfaidh an Chomhairle, i cibé foirm a cheadóidh an tAire, le comhthoiliú an Aire Airgeadais, na cuntais agus na taifid go léir is cuí agus is gnách ar an airgead go léir a gheobhaidh sí nó ar an gcaiteachas go léir a thabhóidh sí agus, go háirithe, coimeádfaidh sí, san fhoirm sin a dúradh, cibé cuntais agus taifid speisialta a ordóidh an tAire ó am go ham, le comhthoiliú an Aire Airgeadais.
(2) Déanfaidh an Chomhairle cuntais a choimeádfar de bhun an ailt seo a chur faoi bhráid an Ard-Reachtaire Cuntas agus Ciste gach bliain lena n-iniúchadh ar dháta nach déanaí ná an tríochadú lá d'Aibreán sa bhliain tar éis na bliana lena mbaineann na cuntais, nó ar cibé dáta eile a chinnfidh an tAire ó am go ham, agus, díreach tar éis an iniúchta, déanfaidh an Chomhairle cóip de na cuntais agus de cibé cuntais eile, más ann, a d'ordaigh an tAire a choimeád, mar aon le cóip de thuarascáil an Ard-Reachtaire Cuntas agus Ciste ar na cuntais, a thíolacadh don Aire.
(3) Cuirfidh an tAire faoi deara cóipeanna de na cuntais a thíolacfaidh an Chomhairle dó nó di faoin alt seo, mar aon le cóipeanna de thuarascáil an Ard-Reachtaire Cuntas agus Ciste ar na cuntais sin, a leagan faoi bhráid gach Tí den Oireachtas.
(4) Cuirfidh an Chomhairle ar fáil don Aire cibé faisnéis a cheanglóidh an tAire ó am go ham maidir le comhlíonadh a feidhmeanna.
Coistí.
47.—Féadfaidh an Chomhairle—
(a) coistí a bhunú, a bheidh comhdhéanta go hiomlán nó go páirteach de dhaoine ar comhaltaí den Chomhairle iad, chun cabhrú léi a feidhmeanna a chomhlíonadh,
(b) aon fheidhm dá cuid a fhéadfaidh coiste a chomhlíonadh ar bhealach níos fearr nó níos caoithiúla a tharmligean chuig coiste arna cheapadh faoin alt seo, agus
(c) tráth ar bith, coiste arna cheapadh faoin alt seo a dhíscaoileadh nó comhaltas den sórt sin a bhaint de chomhalta coiste.
Tuarascáil Bhliantúil.
48.—A luaithe is féidir tar éis dheireadh gach bliana, déanfaidh an Chomhairle tuarascáil maidir le feidhmiú na Comhairle sa bhliain sin a ullmhú agus a chur faoi bhráid an Aire i cibé foirm a chinnfidh an tAire.
CUID VIII
Scrúduithe
Léiriú.
49.—Sa Chuid seo—
ciallaíonn “iarrthóir” duine atá cláraithe, de réir nósanna imeachta a chinnfidh an tAire ó am go ham, chun é féin nó í féin a chur i láthair le haghaidh scrúdú;
ciallaíonn “scrúdaitheoir” duine atá fostaithe ag an Aire—
(a) chun páipéir scrúdaithe nó ábhair scrúdaithe eile a ullmhú,
(b) chun na páipéir sin nó na hábhair eile sin a mharcáil, nó
(c) chun aon fheidhmeanna eile i leith seoladh scrúduithe a chomhall;
ciallaíonn “scrúdú” scrúdú a bhaineann le hiar-bhunoideachas, le hoideachas aosach, le gairmoideachas agus le gairmoiliúint ar scrúdú é a sheolfar ó am go ham de réir nósanna imeachta a chinnfidh an tAire nó a chinnfidh comhlacht daoine arna bhunú ag an Aire agus a mbaineann an Chuid seo leis de réir alt 50;
folaíonn “páipéar scrúdaithe” aon pháipéar, plean, léarscáil, líníocht, léaráid, saothar pictiúrtha nó grafach nó doiciméad eile agus aon ghrianghraf, scannán nó taifeadadh (cibé acu is taifeadadh fuaime nó taifeadadh íomhánna nó iad araon é)—
(a) ina leagtar ceisteanna amach lena bhfreagairt ag iarrthóirí mar chuid de scrúdú, nó a bhaineann leis na ceisteanna sin, nó
(b) ina leagtar amach tionscadail nó cleachtaí praiticiúla a cheanglaítear ar iarrthóirí a dhéanamh mar chuid de scrúdú, nó a bhaineann leis na tionscadail nó leis na cleachtaí sin.
Scrúduithe.
50.—(1) Beidh feidhm ag an gCuid seo maidir leis na scrúduithe atá leagtha amach i Sceideal 2.
(2) Féadfaidh an tAire, i dteannta na scrúduithe atá leagtha amach i Sceideal 2, cibé scrúduithe eile is cuí leis nó léi, agus a mbeidh feidhm ag an gCuid seo maidir leo, a fhorordú ó am go ham.
Rialacháin.
51.—(1) Féadfaidh an tAire rialacháin a dhéanamh, de réir mar is cuí leis nó léi ó am go ham, le haghaidh seoladh éifeachtach scrúduithe agus go háirithe, gan dochar do ghinearáltacht an mhéid sin a dúradh, féadfaidh sé nó sí rialacháin a dhéanamh maidir leis na nithe seo a leanas—
(a) ullmhú páipéir scrúdaithe agus ábhar scrúdaithe eile,
(b) nósanna imeachta ag áiteanna ina seoltar scrúduithe, lena n-áirítear maoirsiú scrúduithe,
(c) obair a thíolactar le haghaidh scrúdú a mharcáil,
(d) torthaí scrúduithe a eisiúint,
(e) táillí le haghaidh scrúduithe a mhuirearú agus a bhailiú,
(f) na téarmaí faoina bhféadfaidh iarrthóirí achomharc a dhéanamh in aghaidh torthaí scrúdaithe agus an nós imeachta le haghaidh na n-achomharc sin,
(g) na pionóis a bheidh le forchur ar dhuine a ghníomhóidh de shárú ar rialacháin arna ndéanamh ag an Aire nó ar dhuine a dhéanfaidh é féin nó í féin á mhí-iompar ar shlí eile i leith scrúdú, agus
(h) ainmniú áiteanna ina bhféadfar scrúduithe a sheoladh.
(2) Féadfaidh an tAire, ó am go ham, duine nó comhlacht daoine a cheapadh chun comhairle a thabhairt dó nó di maidir le haon ní a bhaineann leis na scrúduithe nó chun aon chuid de sheoladh na scrúduithe a mhaoirsiú nó a athbhreithniú, lena n-áirítear achomhairc ag iarrthóirí in aghaidh torthaí scrúduithe.
Cionta.
52.—(1) Aon duine—
(a) a dhéanfaidh, go feasach agus gan údarás dleathach, páipéar scrúdaithe nó cuid de pháipéar den sórt sin a fhoilsiú d'aon duine eile roimh sheoladh an scrúdaithe lena mbaineann,
(b) a mbeidh ina sheilbh nó ina seilbh, gan údarás dleathach, páipéar scrúdaithe nó cuid de pháipéar den sórt sin roimh sheoladh an scrúdaithe lena mbaineann,
(c) a chomhallfaidh aon dualgais a bhaineann le hullmhú páipéar scrúdaithe agus a dhéanfaidh, go feasach agus gan údarás dleathach, faisnéis a bhaineann leis an ábhar a bheidh ullmhaithe aige nó aici i gcúrsa na ndualgas sin a chur ar fáil d'iarrthóir le haghaidh scrúdú nó d'aon duine eile, le hintinn buntáiste a thabhairt d'iarrthóir ar iarrthóirí eile,
(d) a dhéanfaidh, go feasach agus go toiliúil, marcanna níos airde a thabhairt d'iarrthóir ná na marcanna a raibh an t-iarrthóir sin ina dteideal, le hintinn buntáiste a thabhairt don iarrthóir sin ar iarrthóirí eile,
(e) a dhéanfaidh, go feasach agus go mailíseach, marcanna níos ísle a thabhairt d'iarrthóir ná na marcanna a raibh an t-iarrthóir sin ina dteideal,
(f) a phearsanóidh iarrthóir ag scrúdú nó a cheadóidh do dhuine nó a chabhróidh le duine, go feasach, iarrthóir a phearsanú ag scrúdú,
(g) a dhéanfaidh, go feasach agus go mailíseach, aon ábhar a bhaineann le scrúdú a scriosadh nó a dhamáistiú,
(h) a dhéanfaidh, go feasach agus go mailíseach, bac a chur ar aon iarrthóir nó ar dhuine atá ag gabháil do sheoladh scrúdaithe nó a chuirfidh isteach ar shlí eile ar sheoladh ginearálta scrúdaithe,
(i) a athróidh, go feasach agus gan údarás dleathach, aon teastas nó aon taifead eile, lena n-áirítear taifead i bhfoirm mheaisín-inléite, ina bhfuil torthaí scrúdaithe, nó
(j) a eiseoidh nó a úsáidfidh, go feasach, aon teastas nó doiciméad eile a airbheartóidh gur doiciméad é arna eisiúint ag an duine nó ag an gcomhlacht ar faoina údarás nó faoina húdarás a seoladh an scrúdú agus go bhfuil torthaí scrúdaithe ann, agus fios aige nó aici go bhfuil na torthaí sin bréagach,
beidh sé nó sí ciontach i gcion.
(2) Aon duine a dhéanfaidh, go feasach, cabhrú nó neartú le duine eile nó comhairle a thabhairt d'aon duine nó tabhairt ar aon duine cion faoi fho-alt (1) a dhéanamh, nó a dhéanfaidh go feasach comhcheilg le duine eile chun aon chion den sórt sin a dhéanamh, beidh sé nó sí ciontach i gcion.
(3) Aon duine a bheidh ciontach i gcion faoin alt seo, dlífear—
(a) ar é nó í a chiontú go hachomair, fíneáil nach mó ná £1,500 nó (de rogha na cúirte) príosúnacht ar feadh téarma nach faide ná sé mhí, nó an fhíneáil sin agus an phríosúnacht sin le chéile, a chur air nó uirthi, nó
(b) ar é nó í a chiontú ar díotáil, fíneáil nach mó ná £5,000 nó (de rogha na cúirte) príosúnacht ar feadh téarma nach faide ná dhá bhliain, nó an fhíneáil sin agus an phríosúnacht sin le chéile, a chur air nó uirthi.
(4) Ní bheidh aon ábhar caingne ann in aghaidh scrúdaitheora i leith aon ní a dhéanfaidh sé nó sí de mheon macánta agus de bhun a fheidhmeanna nó a feidhmeanna mar scrúdaitheoir.
Rochtain ar fhaisnéis áirithe a dhiúltú.
53.—D'ainneoin aon achtacháin eile, féadfaidh an tAire—
(a) rochtain a dhiúltú ar aon fhaisnéis a d'fhágfadh go bhféadfaí faisnéis a thiomsú (nach bhfuil fáil ag an bpobal i gcoitinne uirthi ar shlí eile) i ndáil le feidhmiú comparáideach scoileanna i leith ghnóthachtáil acadúil na mac léinn atá rollaithe iontu, lena n-áirítear, gan dochar do ghinearáltacht an mhéid sin roimhe seo—
(i) na torthaí foriomlána a fuair mic léinn i scoil áirithe i scrúdú in aon bhliain áirithe, nó
(ii) na torthaí comparáideacha foriomlána a fuair mic léinn i scoileanna éagsúla i scrúdú in aon bhliain áirithe,
agus
(b) rochtain a dhiúltú ar fhaisnéis a bhaineann le céannacht scrúdaitheoirí.
CUID IX
Comhlachtaí Corpraithe
Comhlachtaí a bhunú chun seirbhísí a bhaineann le hoideachas a sholáthar.
54.—(1) Féadfaidh an tAire ó am go ham, le comhthoiliú an Rialtais, le hordú (dá ngairtear “ordú bunaithe” san Acht seo), comhlacht a bhunú chun feidhmeanna i dtaca le seirbhísí taca a sholáthar, nó i ndáil leis an soláthar sin, a chomhlíonadh faoi réir fho-alt (2).
(2) Beidh comhlíonadh feidhmeanna ag comhlacht a bhunófar faoi fho-alt (1) faoi réir chinneadh an Aire i dtaobh nithe a bhaineann le beartas.
(3) Maidir le comhlacht a bhunófar faoi fho-alt (1), tabharfar cibé teideal air a shonrófar san ordú bunaithe.
(4) Beidh comhlacht a bhunófar amhlaidh ina chomhlacht corpraithe ag a mbeidh comharbas suthain agus séala, agus beidh cumhacht agartha aige agus beidh sé inagartha ina ainm corpraithe agus beidh cumhacht aige talamh a shealbhú.
(5) Féadfaidh an tAire ó am go ham, le hordú, ordú bunaithe nó ordú arna dhéanamh faoin bhfo-alt seo a leasú.
(6) Beidh an duine a cheapfar mar phríomhoifigeach ar chomhlacht a bhunófar faoi fho-alt (1) cuntasach don Aire i gcomhall na bhfeidhmeanna dá dtagraítear san fho-alt sin.
(7) Sula ndéanfaidh an tAire ordú faoin alt seo, rachaidh sé nó sí i gcomhairle, de réir mar is cuí leis an Aire, le daoine a ndéanfaidh an t-ordú beartaithe difear dóibh go díreach, nó le ceardchumainn nó comhlachais atá ionadaitheach do na daoine sin.
(8) D'ainneoin alt 5, ní dhéanfaidh an tAire ordú faoin alt seo mura mbeidh curtha faoi deara aige nó aici ar dtús dréacht den ordú beartaithe a leagan faoi bhráid gach Tí den Oireachtas agus mura mbeidh rún ag ceadú an dréachta rite ag an dá Theach.
Comhaltas agus foireann.
55.—(1) Beidh i ngach ordú bunaithe cibé forálacha is cuí leis an Aire i ndáil leis na nithe seo a leanas—
(a) líon comhaltaí an chomhlachta a bhunófar leis an ordú, modh, téarmaí agus coinníollacha a gceaptha agus a seilbh oifige, agus
(b) líon, gráid, cáilíochtaí, modh ceaptha (lena n-áirítear iasacht), coinníollacha seirbhíse, seilbh oifige agus luach saothair agus aoisliúntas na ndaoine a bheidh fostaithe sa chomhlacht nó ag an gcomhlacht a bhunófar amhlaidh.
(2) Aon duine a bheidh ar iasacht nó a aistreofar chuig comhlacht a bhunófar faoi alt 54, ní bhfaighidh sé nó sí, fad a bheidh sé nó sí i seirbhís an chomhlachta sin, luach saothair níos lú ná ní bheidh sé nó sí faoi réir coinníollacha seirbhíse is lú tairbhe ná an luach saothair a raibh an duine sin ina theideal agus na coinníollacha seirbhíse a raibh an duine sin faoina réir roimh an iasacht nó an aistriú sin.
Feidhmeanna.
56.—Beidh in ordú bunaithe cibé forálacha is cuí leis an Aire ina míneofar feidhmeanna an chomhlachta a bhunófar leis an ordú agus an modh ina bhféadfaidh, agus na coinníollacha faoina bhféadfaidh, an comhlacht a bhunófar amhlaidh na feidhmeanna a mhíneofar amhlaidh a chomhlíonadh.
Riarachán.
57.—Beidh in ordú bunaithe cibé forálacha is cuí leis an Aire maidir le riaradh ginearálta an chomhlachta a bhunófar leis an ordú, lena n-áirítear forálacha maidir leis na nithe seo a leanas—
(a) cruinnithe an chomhlachta a bhunófar amhlaidh agus an nós imeachta ag cruinnithe den sórt sin,
(b) úsáid agus fíordheimhniú a shéala,
(c) rialáil a chuid airgid agus coimeád agus iniúchadh a chuid cuntas, agus
(d) an comhlacht sin do thabhairt faisnéise i dtaobh chomhlíonadh a fheidhmeanna don Aire ó am go ham agus faisnéis den sórt sin a thabhairt don Aire aon tráth a iarrfaidh sé nó sí í.
Deontais.
58.—I ngach bliain airgeadais, féadfaidh an tAire le comhthoiliú an Aire Airgeadais deontas a thabhairt, as airgead a sholáthróidh an tOireachtas, do chomhlacht a cheapfar faoi alt 54 chun críocha caiteachais ag an gcomhlacht sin i gcomhlíonadh a fheidhmeanna.
Ordú bunaithe a chúlghairm.
59.—(1) Féadfaidh an tAire tráth ar bith, le hordú, ordú bunaithe a chúlghairm.
(2) Beidh in ordú cúlghairme cibé forálacha is dóigh leis an Aire is gá nó is fóirsteanach de dhroim na cúlghairme, agus, go háirithe, féadfar foráil a dhéanamh ann le haghaidh na nithe seo a leanas—
(a) díscaoileadh an chomhlachta a bunaíodh leis an ordú bunaithe agus aistriú nó dáileadh mhaoin, chearta agus dhliteanais an chomhlachta sin chuig aon cheann nó aon duine acu seo a leanas—
(i) an tAire, nó
(ii) aon chomhlacht amháin eile nó níos mó a bunaíodh le hordú bunaithe,
(b) conarthaí leanúnacha a rinne an comhlacht díscaoilte a choimeád ar marthain,
(c) leanúint d'imeachtaí dlí a bheidh ar feitheamh,
(d) d'ainneoin aon sriain atá in aon Acht eile, sealbhóir aon oifige faoin gcomhlacht díscaoilte a aistriú—
(i) chuig an Roinn Oideachais agus Eolaíochta, nó
(ii) chuig aon chomhlacht eile a bunaíodh le hordú bunaithe.
SCEIDEAL 1
An Chomhairle
1. (1) A luaithe is féidir tar éis a bunaithe, gheobhaidh an Chomhairle séala agus coimeádfaidh sí ina seilbh é.
(2) Déanfar séala na Comhairle a fhíordheimhniú le síniú chathaoirleach na Comhairle nó síniú comhalta den Chomhairle a bheidh údaraithe ag an gComhairle chun gníomhú chuige sin agus le síniú oifigigh don Chomhairle a bheidh údaraithe chun gníomhú chuige sin.
(3) Tabharfar aird bhreithiúnach ar shéala na Comhairle agus glacfar i bhfianaise gach doiciméad a airbheartaíonn a bheith ina ionstraim a rinne an Chomhairle agus a bheith séalaithe le séala na Comhairle (a airbheartaíonn a bheith fíordheimhnithe de réir an Sceidil seo) agus measfar gur ionstraim den sórt sin é gan chruthúnas mura suífear a mhalairt.
2. (1) Ceapfaidh an tAire cathaoirleach na Comhairle.
(2) Féadfaidh an cathaoirleach, tráth ar bith, éirí as oifig mar chathaoirleach trí litir a bheidh dírithe chuig an Aire agus beidh éifeacht leis an éirí as ón dáta ar a bhfaighfear an litir.
(3) Ní faide ná cúig bliana téarma oifige comhalta (lena n-áirítear an cathaoirleach).
4. (1) I gcás comhalta den Chomhairle d'fháil bháis, d'éirí as, teacht faoi dhícháilíocht, a chur as oifig nó ar aon chúis eile scor d'oifig a shealbhú, féadfaidh an tAire duine a cheapadh chun bheith ina chomhalta nó ina comhalta den Chomhairle chun an corrfholúntas a tharla amhlaidh a líonadh agus déanfar an duine a cheapfar amhlaidh a cheapadh ar an modh céanna ar ar ceapadh an comhalta den Chomhairle ba chúis leis an gcorrfholúntas.
(2) Aon duine a cheapfar chun bheith ina chomhalta nó ina comhalta den Chomhairle de réir na míre seo, beidh sé nó sí i seilbh oifige ar feadh a mbeidh fágtha de théarma oifige an chomhalta ba chúis leis an gcorrfholúntas a gceaptar é nó í lena líonadh, agus beidh sé nó sí in-athcheaptha mar chomhalta den Chomhairle.
5. (1) Féadfaidh an tAire, tráth ar bith, comhalta den Chomhairle a chur as oifig má mhí-iompair an comhalta é féin nó í féin mar a bheidh sonraithe nó más dealraitheach don Aire gur gá é nó í a chur as oifig chun go gcomhlíonfaidh an Chomhairle a cuid feidhmeanna go héifeachtach.
(2) Féadfaidh an tAire, tráth ar bith, ar chúiseanna a shonrófar i scríbhinn do chomhaltaí na Comhairle, na comhaltaí sin go léir a chur as oifig.
(3) Féadfaidh comhalta, tráth ar bith, éirí as oifig mar chomhalta den sórt sin trí litir a bheidh dírithe chuig an Aire agus beidh éifeacht leis an éirí as ón dáta ar a bhfaighfear an litir.
(4) Déanfar comhalta den Chomhairle a bheidh as láthair ó gach cruinniú den Chomhairle ar feadh tréimhse sé mhí as a chéile, mura rud é gur breoiteacht faoi deara é nó í a bheith as láthair nó gur cheadaigh an Chomhairle é, a dhícháiliú ag deireadh na tréimhse sin chun leanúint de bheith ina chomhalta nó ina comhalta den Chomhairle ar feadh a mbeidh fágtha de théarma oifige an duine sin.
(5) Aon chomhalta (lena n-áirítear an cathaoirleach) a rachaidh a théarma nó a téarma oifige in éag trí imeacht aimsire, beidh sé nó sí in-athcheaptha.
6. (1) Déanfaidh an Chomhairle, ó am go ham de réir riachtanas na hócáide, beirt chomhalta a cheapadh as measc a comhaltaí (seachas an cathaoirleach) chun bheith ina leaschathaoirligh ar an gComhairle.
(2) Beidh leaschathaoirleach ar an gComhairle i seilbh oifige go dtí go rachaidh tréimhse oifige an chomhalta sin mar chomhalta den Chomhairle in éag, mura túisce a éireoidh an comhalta sin as.
7. (1) Más rud é, maidir le comhalta den Chomhairle (lena n-áirítear an cathaoirleach)—
(a) go nglacfaidh sé nó sí le hainmniúchán mar chomhalta de Sheanad Éireann, nó
(b) go dtoghfar é nó í mar chomhalta de cheachtar Teach den Oireachtas nó mar ionadaí i bParlaimint na hEorpa, nó
(c) go measfar, de bhun Chuid XIII den Dara Sceideal a ghabhann leis an Acht um Thoghcháin do Pharlaimint na hEorpa, 1997, é nó í a bheith tofa chun Parlaimint na hEorpa chun folúntas a líonadh, nó
(d) go mbreithneofar an comhalta ina fhéimheach nó ina féimheach nó go ndéanfaidh sé nó sí, faoi choimirce nó faoi nós imeachta cúirte, imshocraíocht nó comhshocraíocht le creidiúnaithe, nó
(e) go gcuirfidh cúirt dlínse inniúla téarma príosúnachta air nó uirthi,
scoirfidh an comhalta sin air sin de bheith ina chomhalta nó ina comhalta den Chomhairle.
(2) Ní bheidh duine i dteideal a bheith ina chomhalta nó ina comhalta den Chomhairle más rud é, maidir leis an duine sin—
(a) go bhfuil sé nó sí de thuras na huaire i dteideal, faoi Bhuan-Orduithe ceachtar Tí den Oireachtas, suí sa Teach sin, nó
(b) go bhfuil sé nó sí de thuras na huaire ina chomhalta nó ina comhalta de Pharlaimint na hEorpa, nó
(c) gur féimheach neamhurscaoilte é nó í, nó
(d) go bhfuil, sna trí bliana díreach roimhe sin, faoi choimirce nó faoi nós imeachta cúirte, imshocraíocht nó comhshocraíocht déanta aige nó aici le creidiúnaithe, nó
(e) go bhfuil, sna cúig bliana díreach roimhe sin, téarma príosúnachta curtha air nó uirthi ag cúirt dlínse inniúla.
8. Aon chomhalta den Chomhairle lena n-áirítear an cathaoirleach—
(a) a bhfuil aon leas aige nó aici in aon chuideachta nó gnólacht lena mbeartaíonn an Chomhairle aon chonradh a dhéanamh, nó
(b) a bhfuil aon leas aige nó aici in aon chonradh a bheartaíonn an Chomhairle a dhéanamh,
nochtfaidh sé nó sí don Chomhairle go bhfuil an leas sin aige nó aici agus cad é an leas é agus ní ghlacfaidh sé nó sí páirt in aon bhreithniú nó cinneadh ag an gComhairle a bhaineann leis an gconradh, agus déanfar an nochtadh a thaifeadadh i miontuairiscí na Comhairle.
9. Déanfar cibé liúntais le haghaidh caiteachas a chinnfidh an tAire, le ceadú an Aire Airgeadais, a íoc le cathaoirleach agus le comhaltaí na Comhairle as cistí a bheidh faoina réir ag an gComhairle.
10. (1) Tionólfaidh an Chomhairle cibé cruinnithe agus cibé méid cruinnithe, agus sin ag cibé tráth, a mheasfaidh an cathaoirleach is gá.
(2) Comórfaidh cathaoirleach cruinniú den Chomhairle aon uair a iarrfaidh líon nach lú ná seisear comhalta air nó uirthi déanamh amhlaidh.
(3) Is é is córam do chruinniú den Chomhairle trian de líon iomlán na gcomhaltaí, arna chothromú suas go dtí an chéad slánuimhir eile, móide a haon.
11. Ag cruinniú den Chomhairle—
(a) beidh an cathaoirleach, má bhíonn sé nó sí i láthair, ina chathaoirleach nó ina cathaoirleach ar an gcruinniú,
(b) mura mbeidh agus fad nach mbeidh an cathaoirleach i láthair nó má bhíonn oifig an chathaoirligh folamh, beidh an leaschathaoirleach a bheidh i láthair nó, más rud é go mbeidh an bheirt leaschathaoirleach i láthair, an leaschathaoirleach a roghnóidh na comhaltaí den Chomhairle a bheidh i láthair, ina chathaoirleach nó ina cathaoirleach ar an gcruinniú,
(c) mura mbeidh agus fad nach mbeidh an cathaoirleach i láthair nó má bhíonn agus fad a bheidh oifig an chathaoirligh folamh, agus mura mbeidh agus fad nach mbeidh leaschathaoirleach i láthair nó má bhíonn agus fad a bheidh oifigí an leaschathaoirligh folamh, déanfaidh na comhaltaí den Chomhairle a bheidh i láthair duine dá líon a roghnú chun bheith ina chathaoirleach nó ina cathaoirleach ar an gcruinniú.
12. Déanfar gach ceist ag cruinniú den Chomhairle a chinneadh le tromlach vótaí na gcomhaltaí a bheidh i láthair agus a vótálfaidh ar an gceist agus, i gcás comhionannais vótaí, beidh an dara vóta nó vóta réitigh ag cathaoirleach an chruinnithe.
13. Faoi réir mhír 10(3), féadfaidh an Chomhairle gníomhú d'ainneoin folúntais nó folúntas i measc a comhaltaí.
14. Faoi réir an Achta seo, déanfaidh an Chomhairle a nós imeachta agus a gnó a rialáil le buanorduithe nó ar shlí eile.
SCEIDEAL 2
Scrúduithe
Scrúdú na hArdteistiméireachta
Scrúdú an Teastais Shóisearaigh
Scrúdú an Teastais Teicneolaíochta
Scrúdú an Teastais Ceirde
Scrúdú an Teastais sa Tráchtáil
Scrúdú an Cheardteastais Ghaeilge
Scrúdú an Teastais i dTeagasc na Gaeilge
Scrúdú an Teastais do Mhúinteoirí Clóscríbhneoireachta
Scrúdú Theastas na dTeagascóirí Tráchtála
Number 51 of 1998
EDUCATION ACT, 1998
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
Preliminary and General
Section | |
Schools
The Inspectorate
Boards of Management
The Principal and Teachers
Miscellaneous
National Council for Curriculum and Assessment
Establishment of National Council for Curriculum and Assessment. | |
Examinations
Bodies Corporate
Establishment of bodies to provide services related to education. | |
The Council
Examinations
Acts Referred to | |
Adoption Acts, 1952 to 1998 | |
Children Acts, 1908 to 1989 | |
1991, No. 17 | |
1956, No. 45 | |
Civil Service Regulation Acts, 1956 to 1996 | |
1997, No. 2 | |
Guardianship of Children Acts, 1964 to 1997 | |
1970, No. 1 | |
Health Acts, 1947 to 1996 | |
Intermediate Education (Ireland) Act, 1878 | 1878, 41 & 42 Vic., c. 66 |
Intermediate Education (Ireland) Acts, 1878 to 1924 | |
1941, No. 23 | |
1956, No. 21 | |
1997, No. 27 | |
Trade Union Acts, 1871 to 1990 | |
1930, No. 29 | |
Number 51 of 1998
EDUCATION ACT, 1998
PART I
Preliminary and General
Short title and commencement.
1.—(1) This Act may be cited as the Education Act, 1998.
(2) Subject to subsection (3), this Act shall come into operation on such day or days as, by order or orders made by the Minister under this section, may be fixed either generally or with reference to any particular purpose, function, provision or class of school, and different days may be so fixed for different purposes, functions or provisions of this Act or different classes of schools.
(3) This Act shall come into operation in respect of any purpose, function, provision or class of school, with reference to which the Minister has not made an order under subsection (2), two years from the date of its passing.
(4) As soon as practicable after the end of the first and second years following the date of passing of this Act, the Minister shall prepare a report on the implementation of the Act and shall cause copies of the report to be laid before each House of the Oireachtas.
(5) The Intermediate Education (Ireland) Acts, 1878 to 1924 and this Act may be cited together as the Education Acts, 1878 to 1998, and shall be construed together as one.
Interpretation.
2.—(1) In this Act, except where the context otherwise requires—
“articles of management” means any instruments, relating to the operation and management of schools, as are in operation on the commencement of this Act and as shall be agreed from time to time by patrons of schools, national associations of parents and recognised trade unions and staff associations representing teachers;
“board” means a board of management established under section 14;
“centre for education” means a place, other than a school or a place providing university or other third level education, where adult or continuing education or vocational education or training, is provided and which is designated for that purpose under section 10(4);
“characteristic spirit” means the characteristic spirit referred to in section 15 (2) (b);
“Council” means the body established under section 39;
“curriculum” shall be construed in accordance with section 30;
“disability” means—
(a) the total or partial loss of a person's bodily or mental functions, including the loss of a part of the person's body, or
(b) the presence in the body of organisms causing, or likely to cause, chronic disease or illness, or
(c) the malfunction, malformation or disfigurement of a part of a person's body, or
(d) a condition or malfunction which results in a person learning differently from a person without the condition or malfunction, or
(e) a condition, illness or disease which affects a person's thought processes, perception of reality, emotions or judgement or which results in disturbed behaviour;
“educational disadvantage” has the meaning assigned by section 32(9);
“examination” has the meaning assigned to it by section 49;
“functions” includes powers and duties;
“Gaeltacht area” means an area for the time being determined to be a Gaeltacht area by order made under section 2 of the Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Act, 1956;
“Inspector” means a member of the Inspectorate;
“Inspectorate” means the Inspectorate appointed under section 13;
“Minister” means the Minister for Education and Science;
“national association of parents” means an association or other body of persons established by parents with objects which include representing the views and interests of parents with regard to education and assisting parents in exercising their rights and role in the process of the education of their children, that is—
(a) established and organised on a national basis and has a membership distributed over a substantial part of the State, and
(b) for the time being recognised by the Minister for the purposes of this Act, including the National Parents Council - Primary and the National Parents Council (Post-Primary) Limited, being bodies for the time being so recognised;
“National Council for Curriculum and Assessment” means the body established in accordance with section 39;
“parent” includes a foster parent, a guardian appointed under the Guardianship of Children Acts, 1964 to 1997, or other person acting in loco parentis who has a child in his or her care subject to any statutory power or order of a court and, in the case of a child who has been adopted under the Adoption Acts, 1952 to 1998, or, where the child has been adopted outside the State, means the adopter or adopters or the surviving adopter;
“parents' association” means an association to which section 26 applies;
“patron” has the meaning assigned to it by section 8;
“prescribed” means prescribed by regulations made by the Minister and cognate words shall be construed accordingly;
“Principal” means a person appointed under section 23;
“recognised school” means a school which is recognised by the Minister in accordance with section 10;
“recognised school management organisations” means those bodies as may be established for the purpose of representing the interests of persons engaged in the management of schools and which are recognised by the Minister for the purposes of this Act;
“recognised trade union” means a trade union licensed under the Trade Union Acts, 1871 to 1990, that stands recognised for consultation purposes;
“school” means an establishment which—
(a) provides primary education to its students and which may also provide early childhood education, or
(b) provides post-primary education to its students and which may also provide courses in adult, continuing or vocational education or vocational training,
but does not include a school or institution established in accordance with the Children Acts, 1908 to 1989, or a school or institution established or maintained by a health board in accordance with the Health Acts, 1947 to 1996, or the Child Care Act, 1991;
“school plan” has the meaning assigned to it by section 21(1);
“school week” means the period of time during a week when a school is open for the reception of students;
“school year” means such twelve month period commencing on a day that falls between the first day of July and the first day of October in any year as may be prescribed from time to time by the Minister, either generally or in respect of any school or class of school;
“special educational needs” means the educational needs of students who have a disability and the educational needs of exceptionally able students;
“student”, in relation to a school, means a person enrolled at the school and in relation to a centre for education, means a person registered as a student in that centre;
“support services” means the services which the Minister provides to students or their parents, schools or centres for education in accordance with section 7 and shall include any or all of the following:
(a) assessment of students;
(b) psychological services;
(c) guidance and counselling services;
(d) technical aid and equipment, including means of access to schools, adaptations to buildings to facilitate access and transport, for students with special needs and their families;
(e) provision for students learning through Irish sign language or other sign language, including interpreting services;
(f) speech therapy services;
(g) provision for early childhood, primary, post-primary, adult or continuing education to students with special needs otherwise than in schools or centres for education;
(h) teacher welfare services;
(i) transport services;
(j) library and media services;
(k) school maintenance services;
(l) examinations provided for in Part VIII;
(m) curriculum support and staff advisory services, and
(n) such other services as are specified by this Act or considered appropriate by the Minister;
“teacher” includes a Principal;
“vocational education committee” means a committee established by section 7 of the Vocational Education Act, 1930.
(2) (a) In this Act a reference to a Part, section or a Schedule is a reference to a Part or section of or a Schedule to this Act, unless it is indicated that a reference to some other Act is intended.
(b) In this Act a reference to a subsection, paragraph or subparagraph is a reference to a subsection, paragraph or subparagraph of the provision in which the reference occurs, unless it is indicated that a reference to some other pro-vision is intended.
(3) A reference in this Act to the performance of functions includes, with respect to powers and duties, a reference to the exercise of powers and the carrying out of duties.
Expenses.
3.—Any expenses incurred by the Minister in the administration of this Act shall, to such extent as may be approved of by the Minister for Finance, be paid out of monies provided by the Oireachtas.
Service of notices.
4.—Where a notice, direction or other document is authorised or required by or under this Act or regulations made thereunder to be served on a person, it shall, unless otherwise specified in this Act, be addressed to the person and shall be served on or given to the person in one of the following ways—
(a) where it is addressed to the person by name, by delivering it to the person, or
(b) by leaving it at the address at which the person ordinarily resides or, in a case in which an address for service has been furnished, at that address, or
(c) by sending it by ordinary prepaid post addressed to the person at the address at which the person ordinarily resides, or in a case in which an address for service has been furnished, at that address.
Laying of regulations and orders.
5.—Every regulation and every order made under this Act shall be laid before each House of the Oireachtas as soon as may be after it is made and, if a resolution annulling the regulation or order is passed by either such House within the next 21 days on which that House has sat after the regulation or order is laid before it, the regulation or order shall be annulled accordingly, but without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done thereunder.
Objects of Act.
6.—Every person concerned in the implementation of this Act shall have regard to the following objects in pursuance of which the Oireachtas has enacted this Act:
(a) to give practical effect to the constitutional rights of children, including children who have a disability or who have other special educational needs, as they relate to education;
(b) to provide that, as far as is practicable and having regard to the resources available, there is made available to people resident in the State a level and quality of education appropriate to meeting the needs and abilities of those people;
(c) to promote equality of access to and participation in education and to promote the means whereby students may benefit from education;
(d) to promote opportunities for adults, in particular adults who as children did not avail of or benefit from education in schools, to avail of educational opportunities through adult and continuing education;
(e) to promote the right of parents to send their children to a school of the parents’ choice having regard to the rights of patrons and the effective and efficient use of resources;
(f) to promote best practice in teaching methods with regard to the diverse needs of students and the development of the skills and competences of teachers;
(g) to promote effective liaison and consultation between schools and centres for education, patrons, teachers, parents, the communities served by schools, local authorities, health boards, persons or groups of persons who have a special interest in, or experience of, the education of students with special educational needs and the Minister;
(h) to contribute to the realisation of national educational policies and objectives;
(i) to contribute to the realisation of national policy and objectives in relation to the extension of bi-lingualism in Irish society and in particular the achievement of a greater use of the Irish language at school and in the community;
(j) to contribute to the maintenance of Irish as the primary community language in Gaeltacht areas;
(k) to promote the language and cultural needs of students having regard to the choices of their parents;
(l) to enhance the accountability of the education system, and
(m) to enhance transparency in the making of decisions in the education system both locally and nationally.
Functions of Minister.
7.—(1) Each of the following shall be a function of the Minister under this Act:
(a) to ensure, subject to the provisions of this Act, that there is made available to each person resident in the State, including a person with a disability or who has other special educational needs, support services and a level and quality of education appropriate to meeting the needs and abilities of that person,
(b) to determine national education policy, and
(c) to plan and co-ordinate—
(i) the provision of education in recognised schools and centres for education, and
(ii) support services.
(2) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1), each of the following shall be a function of the Minister:
(a) to provide funding to each recognised school and centre for education and to provide support services to recognised schools, centres for education, students, including students who have a disability or who have other special educational needs, and their parents, as the Minister considers appropriate and in accordance with this Act;
(b) to monitor and assess the quality, economy, efficiency and effectiveness of the education system provided in the State by recognised schools and centres for education, having regard to the objects provided for in section 6 and to publish, in such manner as the Minister considers appropriate, information relating to such monitoring and assessment;
(c) to lease land or buildings to any person or body of persons for the purpose of establishing a school without prejudice to the establishment by patrons of schools which are situated on land or in buildings which are not leased to them by the Minister, the extension and further development of such schools when established and the recognition of such schools in accordance with section 10;
(d) to provide support services through Irish to recognised schools which provide teaching through Irish and to any other recognised school which requests such provision;
(e) to perform such other functions as are specifically provided for by this Act or any other enactment, and
(f) to do all such acts and things as may be necessary to further the objects for which this Act is enacted.
(3) The Minister shall have all such powers as are necessary or expedient for the purpose of performing his or her functions.
(4) In carrying out his or her functions, the Minister—
(a) shall have regard to—
(i) the resources available,
(ii) the provision for education and training made by other agencies with funds provided by the Oireachtas,
(iii) the need to reflect the diversity of educational services provided in the State, and
(iv) the practices and traditions relating to the organisation of schools or groups of schools existing at the commencement of this Part and the right of schools to manage their own affairs in accordance with this Act and any charters, deeds, articles of management or other such instruments relating to their establishment or operation,
and
(b) shall make all reasonable efforts to consult with patrons, national associations of parents, parents’ associations in schools, recognised school management organisations, recognised trade unions and staff associations representing teachers and such other persons who have a special interest in or knowledge of matters relating to education, including persons or groups of persons who have a special interest in, or experience of, the education of students with special educational needs, as the Minister considers appropriate.
PART II
Schools
Patron of school.
8.—(1) (a) The person who, at the commencement of this section, is recognised by the Minister as the patron of a primary school, and
(b) the persons who, at the commencement of this section, stand appointed as trustees or as the board of governors of a post-primary school and, where there are no such trustees or such board, the owner of that school,
shall be deemed to be the patron for the purposes of this Act and the Minister shall enter his, her or their name, as appropriate, in a register kept for that purpose by the Minister.
(2) In any case other than that provided in subsection (1), the patron of a recognised school shall be the person who requested recognition of the school or a nominee of such person and the name of that person shall be entered in the register.
(3) The Minister may amend the register in respect of any school on the application of the person who stands for the time being registered as the patron or of the successor to that person.
(4) In the case of a school established or maintained by a vocational education committee that committee shall be the patron of the school for the purposes of this Act.
(5) Where two or more persons exercise the functions of a patron they may be registered as joint patrons.
(6) The patron of a school shall carry out the functions and exercise the powers conferred on the patron by this Act and such other functions and powers as may be conferred on the patron by any Act of the Oireachtas or instrument made thereunder, deed, charter, articles of management or other such instrument relating to the establishment or operation of the school.
(7) In this section—
“person” includes a body of persons;
“school” includes a proposed school.
Functions of a school.
9.—A recognised school shall provide education to students which is appropriate to their abilities and needs and, without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, it shall use its available resources to—
(a) ensure that the educational needs of all students, including those with a disability or other special educational needs, are identified and provided for,
(b) ensure that the education provided by it meets the requirements of education policy as determined from time to time by the Minister including requirements as to the provision of a curriculum as prescribed by the Minister in accordance with section 30,
(c) ensure that students have access to appropriate guidance to assist them in their educational and career choices,
(d) promote the moral, spiritual, social and personal development of students and provide health education for them, in consultation with their parents, having regard to the characteristic spirit of the school,
(e) promote equality of opportunity for both male and female students and staff of the school,
(f) promote the development of the Irish language and traditions, Irish literature, the arts and other cultural matters,
(g) ensure that parents of a students, or in the case of a student who has reached the age of 18 years, the student, have access in the prescribed manner to records kept by that school relating to the progress of that student in his or her education,
(h) in the case of schools located in a Gaeltacht area, contribute to the maintenance of Irish as the primary community language,
(i) conduct its activities in compliance with any regulations made from time to time by the Minister under section 33,
(j) ensure that the needs of personnel involved in management functions and staff development needs generally in the school are identified and provided for,
(k) establish and maintain systems whereby the efficiency and effectiveness of its operations can be assessed, including the quality and effectiveness of teaching in the school and the attainment levels and academic standards of students,
(l) establish or maintain contacts with other schools and at other appropriate levels throughout the community served by the school, and
(m) subject to this Act and in particular section 15 (2) (d), establish and maintain an admissions policy which provides for maximum accessibility to the school.
Recognition of schools.
10.—(1) On a request being made for that purpose, the Minister may from time to time designate a school or a proposed school to be a school recognised for the purposes of this Act.
(2) The Minister may designate a school or a proposed school to be a school recognised for the purposes of this Act where the Minister, on a request being made for that purpose by the patron of a school or a proposed school, is satisfied that—
(a) the number of students who are attending or are likely to attend the school is such or is likely to be such as to make the school viable,
(b) in the case of a proposed school, and having regard to the desirability of diversity in the classes of school operating in the area likely to be served by the school, the needs of students attending or likely to attend the school cannot reasonably be met by existing schools,
(c) the patron undertakes that the school shall provide the curriculum as determined in accordance with section 30,
(d) the patron agrees to permit and co-operate with regular inspection and evaluation by the Inspectorate,
(e) the school complies, or in the case of a proposed school shall comply, with health, safety and building standards as are determined by law and any further such standards as are determined from time to time by the Minister, and
(f) the patron agrees that the school shall operate in accordance with such regulations as may be made by the Minister from time to time under section 33 and with this Act and with any other terms and conditions as may reasonably be attached to recognition by the Minister.
(3) A school that, on the commencement of this section, is in receipt of funds provided by the Oireachtas in respect of—
(a) the education activities for students of that school, or
(b) the remuneration of teachers in that school,
shall be deemed to be a school recognised in accordance with this section.
(4) The Minister may from time to time designate a place to be a centre for education.
Withdrawal of recognition,
11.—(1) Where the Minister is satisfied that the requirements for recognition of a school as provided for in section 10 (2) are not being met by a school, including a school recognised in accordance with section 10 (3), or that the functions of a school are not being effectively discharged and is of the opinion that recognition should be withdrawn from that school, the Minister shall inform the board, the patron, the teachers, the student council where one exists and the parents of students in that school by notice in writing of that opinion and the reasons for the opinion.
(2) If, after the expiration of three months from the date of the notice issued under subsection (1), and, after consideration of any representations made to the Minister by the board or the patron of the school, the teachers or the parents or the student council where one exists, the Minister remains of the said opinion, the Minister may withdraw recognition from the school by notice in writing addressed to the board and the patron of the school, and such notice shall be effective on and from the last day of the school year following the school year in which the notice was addressed to the board or such later date as the Minister may determine.
(3) It shall be the duty of the Minister in respect of a school from which recognition has been withdrawn to arrange to make alternative and appropriate education facilities available for those students who were enrolled in the school on the date of such withdrawal and who require those facilities.
(4) Where the Minister is satisfied that a school from which recognition has been withdrawn satisfies the requirements for recognition of a school as provided for in section 10, and that the functions of the school will be effectively discharged, the Minister may restore recognition to that school, provided that such restoration of recognition shall not entitle that school or any person employed in the school to receive any payment out of monies provided by the Oireachtas in relation to the period subsequent to the withdrawal of recognition and prior to the restoration of recognition.
Annual funding.
12.—(1) The Minister, with the concurrence of the Minister for Finance, shall determine and publish in each school year criteria by which any class or classes of recognised schools or centres for education are to be funded in the following school year from monies provided by the Oireachtas and such criteria shall allow for the payment of additional monies to recognised schools having regard to the level of educational disadvantage of students in the schools.
(2) Except as otherwise provided by this Act, the Minister shall, in each school year by such date or dates as shall be determined by the Minister, make to each recognised school or centre for education a grant or grants, which accords with the criteria determined pursuant to this section, from monies provided by the Oireachtas in accordance with this Act, for the purposes of carrying on that school or centre for education.
(3) A grant or grants shall not be made unless the school is a recognised school at the date that such grant or grants are to be made.
(4) Except as otherwise provided in this Act, where, on the commencement of this section, arrangements are in place whereby grants are provided by the Minister to a body of persons which disburses such grants to two or more recognised schools, then nothing in this Act shall operate to alter such arrangements except with the agreement of that body or its successor.
(5) Where subsection (4) applies, the Minister shall, from monies provided by the Oireachtas, make such grant or grants to the body referred to in that subsection or its successor of an amount equal to the amount which, but for this subsection, would have been made to schools under subsection (2) and any such grant or grants shall be applied by that body for the benefit of students in those schools.
PART III
The Inspectorate
The Inspectorate.
13.—(1) The Minister shall appoint a Chief Inspector and such and so many Inspectors as the Minister considers appropriate and the Chief Inspector and Inspectors collectively shall be known and are referred to in this Act as the “Inspectorate”.
(2) The Minister shall include amongst those he or she appoints as Inspectors under subsection (1) persons who hold qualifications as psychologists or who have other expertise, including expertise in the education of students with special educational needs.
(3) The functions of an Inspector shall be:
(a) to support and advise recognised schools, centres for education and teachers on matters relating to the provision of education and, without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, an Inspector—
(i) shall visit recognised schools and centres for education on the initiative of the Inspectorate, and, following consultation with the board, patron, parents of students and teachers, as appropriate, do any or all of the following:
(I) evaluate the organisation and operation of those schools and centres and the quality and effectiveness of the education provided in those schools or centres, including the quality of teaching and effectiveness of individual teachers;
(II) evaluate the education standards in such schools or centres;
(III) assess the implementation and effectiveness of any programmes of education which have been devised in respect of individual students who have a disability or other special educational needs;
(IV) assess the implementation of regulations made by the Minister, and
(V) report to the Minister, or to the board, patron, parents of students and teachers, as appropriate, and as prescribed, on these matters or on any other matter relating to the activities of those schools or centres and the needs of students attending those schools or centres,
(ii) may conduct assessments of the educational needs of students in recognised schools and advise those students, their parents and the schools as appropriate in relation to the educational development of those students,
(iii) shall advise teachers and boards in respect of the performance of their duties, and, in particular, assist teachers in employing improved methods of teaching and conducting classes, and
(iv) shall advise parents and parents’ associations;
(b) to evaluate the quality and effectiveness of the provision of education in the State, including comparison with relevant international practice and standards, and to report thereon to the Minister;
(c) to conduct research into education and to provide support in the formulation of policy by the Minister;
(d) to promote excellence in the management of, teaching in and the use of support services by schools and in the procedures for consultation and co-operation within and between schools and centres for education;
(e) to disseminate information relating to—
(i) the performance by the Inspectorate of the functions provided for in this section, and
(ii) successful educational initiatives which have been implemented by schools and centres for education,
and promote informed debate on those matters;
(f) to evaluate the effectiveness of the teaching, development, promotion and use of Irish in schools and centres for education and to report to the Minister on those matters;
(g) to advise the Minister on any matter relating to education policy and provision, including the curriculum taught in recognised schools, assessment and teaching methods, and
(h) to perform such functions relating to the preparation and marking of the school examinations which are conducted in the State as the Chief Inspector shall determine, the monitoring and evaluation of the content and standards of those examinations and to report thereon to the Minister.
(4) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (3), an Inspector to whom subsection (2) applies shall have the following functions;
(a) in consultation with parents to assess the psychological needs of students in recognised schools and to advise as appropriate those students, their parents and the schools in relation to the educational and psychological development of such students;
(b) to advise recognised schools on policies and strategies for the education of children with special educational needs;
(c) to advise the Minister on any matter relating to the psychological needs of students in recognised schools;
(d) in collaboration with parents and the Principal and teachers in recognised schools, to assist in the creation of a school environment which prevents or limits obstacles to learning which students may experience, and
(e) to advise the Minister on any matter relating to the linguistic needs of deaf students in recognised schools.
(5) Where an Inspector has carried out an evaluation or an assessment under subsection (3)(a)(i), he or she may make recommendations to the Minister in respect of improvements that he or she considers appropriate.
(6) The Minister may, if a teacher and the board consent, second that teacher to the Inspectorate for such period as the Minister shall determine, to carry out any or all of the functions conferred on an Inspector.
(7) An Inspector shall have all such powers as are necessary or expedient for the purpose of performing his or her functions and shall be accorded every reasonable facility and co-operation by the board and the staff of a school or centre for education.
(8) An Inspector, including the Chief Inspector, shall carry out his or her functions in accordance with such procedures for, and criteria of, inspections as may be determined by the Minister from time to time, following consultation with patrons, school management organisations, recognised trade unions and staff associations representing teachers and such other persons as the Minister considers appropriate, and such directions as may be given by the Minister from time to time.
(9) A teacher or the board of a school may request the Chief Inspector to review any inspection carried out by an Inspector which affects the teacher or the school and the Chief Inspector shall review the inspection in accordance with such procedures as the Chief Inspector shall determine.
(10) A person who immediately before the commencement of this Part holds an office as Chief Inspector, Inspector or Inspector of Guidance Service/Psychologist or who is seconded to the Inspectorate shall on the commencement of this Part continue to hold that office or be so seconded as appropriate and this section shall apply to any such person.
(11) The Civil Service Commissioners Act, 1956, and the Civil Service Regulation Acts, 1956 to 1996, shall apply to Inspectors.
(12) The Minister shall appoint Inspectors or second teachers to the Inspectorate, in accordance with this section, with the concurrence of the Minister for Finance.
PART IV
Boards of Management
Establishment and membership of boards of management.
14.—(1) It shall be the duty of a patron, for the purposes of ensuring that a recognised school is managed in a spirit of partnership, to appoint where practicable a board of management the composition of which is agreed between patrons of schools, national associations of parents, recognised school management organisations, recognised trade unions and staff associations representing teachers and the Minister.
(2) A board established in accordance with subsection (1) shall fulfil in respect of the school the functions assigned to that school by this Act, and, except in the case of a school established or maintained by a vocational education committee, each board shall be a body corporate with perpetual succession and power to sue and may be sued in its corporate name.
(3) Pending the establishment of a board as provided for by subsection (1) the persons who have responsibilities under the structures and systems in place in a school for the management of that school at the commencement of this Part, including boards of governors, shall, as appropriate, discharge the functions of a board under this Act.
(4) The members of a board shall, except where articles of management otherwise provide, be appointed by the patron of the school.
(5) When making appointments to a board established in accordance with subsection (1) the patron shall comply with directions given by the Minister in respect of an appropriate gender balance and the Minister, before giving any such directions, shall consult with patrons, national associations of parents, recognised school management organisations and recognised trade unions and staff associations representing teachers.
(6) The Minister, with the agreement of the patron, national associations of parents, recognised school management organisations and recognised trade unions and staff associations representing teachers, shall prescribe matters relating to the appointment of a board.
(7) Except as provided by this Act, no action shall lie against a member of a board in respect of anything done by that member in good faith and in pursuance of this Act or any regulations made by the Minister under this Act.
(8) Where a patron determines that the appointment of a board in accordance with subsection (1) is not practicable, the patron shall inform the parents of students, the teachers and other staff of the school and the Minister of that fact and the reasons therefor at the time of such determination and, thereafter, if a board is not so appointed, the patron shall, from time to time or as requested by the Minister, inform the parents, teachers and other staff and the Minister of the reasons therefor.
Functions of a board.
15.—(1) It shall be the duty of a board to manage the school on behalf of the patron and 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 for which that board has responsibility.
(2) A board shall perform the functions conferred on it and on a school by this Act and in carrying out its functions the board shall—
(a) do so in accordance with the policies determined by the Minister from time to time,
(b) uphold, and be accountable to the patron for so upholding, the characteristic spirit of the school as determined by the cultural, educational, moral, religious, social, linguistic and spiritual values and traditions which inform and are characteristic of the objectives and conduct of the school, and at all times act in accordance with any Act of the Oireachtas or instrument made thereunder, deed, charter, articles of management or other such instrument relating to the establishment or operation of the school,
(c) consult with and keep the patron informed of decisions and proposals of the board,
(d) publish, in such manner as the board with the agreement of the patron considers appropriate, the policy of the school concerning admission to and participation in the school, including the policy of the school relating to the expulsion and suspension of students and admission to and participation by students with disabilities or who have other special educational needs, and ensure that as regards that policy principles of equality and the right of parents to send their children to a school of the parents’ choice are respected and such directions as may be made from time to time by the Minister, having regard to the characteristic spirit of the school and the constitutional rights of all persons concerned, are complied with,
(e) have regard to the principles and requirements of a democratic society and have respect and promote respect for the diversity of values, beliefs, traditions, languages and ways of life in society,
(f) have regard to the efficient use of resources (and, in particular, the efficient use of grants provided under section 12), the public interest in the affairs of the school and accountability to students, their parents, the patron, staff and the community served by the school, and
(g) use the resources provided to the school from monies provided by the Oireachtas to make reasonable provision and accommodation for students with a disability or other special educational needs, including, where necessary, alteration of buildings and provision of appropriate equipment.
(3) For the avoidance of doubt, nothing in this Act shall confer or be deemed to confer on the board any right over or interest in the land and buildings of the school for which that board is responsible.
Dissolution by a patron.
16.—(1) Subject to this section and to the consent of the Minister, the patron may—
(a) for good and valid reasons stated in writing to a member of a board of management remove that member from that office, or
(b) if satisfied that the functions of a board are not being effectively discharged, dissolve that board.
(2) Where a patron proposes to remove a member of a board from that office or to dissolve a board, the patron shall inform that member or board by notice in writing of his or her intention and the reasons therefor.
(3) If, at the end of a period of one month after the date of the notice provided for in subsection (2), the patron, having considered any representations made to him or her by or on behalf of the member or the board, remains of the view that the member should be removed from office or that the board should be dissolved then the patron may, subject to the approval of the Minister, by notice in writing and stating the opinion of the patron and the reasons therefor, remove the member from office or dissolve the board as appropriate.
(4) A copy of every notice issued under this section and any representations made to the patron shall be delivered to the Minister as soon as may be after it has been made.
(5) Whenever the patron dissolves a board, the patron may, subject to the approval of the Minister, appoint any person or body of persons as the patron thinks fit to perform the functions of the board.
(6) Where a patron removes a member of a board the resulting vacancy shall be filled in accordance with regulations made under section 14 (6).
(7) The patron shall provide, in accordance with section 14, for the re-establishment of a board dissolved under subsection (1) not later than six months following the dissolution or such longer period as the patron, with the consent of the Minister, considers appropriate and when the new board has been established the functions of the dissolved board shall be re-vested in the new board and shall cease to be functions of the person or body of persons, if any, appointed under subsection (5).
Dissolution by patron at request of Minister.
17.—(1) Where—
(a) the Minister is satisfied that the functions of a board are not being effectively discharged, or
(b) a board willfully neglects to comply with any order, direction or regulation of the Minister given or made under this Act, or
(c) a board fails to comply with any judgment or order of any court of competent jurisdiction,
the Minister may, by notice in writing, require the patron to dissolve the board for reasons stated in such notice and the patron shall dissolve the board accordingly as soon as may be after the date of such notice.
(2) Before the Minister serves a notice as provided for in subsection (1), he or she shall inform the board and the patron of his or her intention to do so and shall consider any representations made to him or her by or on behalf of the board or the patron within one month of informing the board and the patron.
(3) Whenever the patron dissolves a board under this section, subsections (5) and (7) of section 16 shall apply.
Keeping of accounts and records.
18.—(1) Except in the case of a school established or maintained by a vocational education committee, a board shall keep all proper and usual accounts and records of all monies received by it or expenditure of such monies incurred by it and shall ensure that in each year all such accounts are properly audited or certified in accordance with best accounting practice.
(2) Accounts kept in pursuance of this section shall be made available by the school concerned for inspection by the Minister and by parents of students in the school, in so far as those accounts relate to monies provided in accordance with section 12.
Report on operation of board.
19.—(1) Where the Minister or the patron is of the opinion that the functions of a board are not being effectively discharged, the Minister or the patron, as the case may be, shall inform the board of that opinion and the reasons therefor.
(2) Having considered any representations by the board, the Minister or the patron, as the case may be, may authorise any person or persons as the Minister or the patron may deem appropriate to report to the Minister or the patron or both the Minister and the patron on any matter arising from or relating to the operation of that board.
(3) Any person appointed to prepare a report under this section shall be entitled at all reasonable times to enter any premises occupied by the school concerned and shall be afforded every facility and co-operation by the board, the teachers and other staff of the school, including access to all records, to perform his or her functions.
(4) A Principal or board shall supply the patron and the Minister with such information regarding the performance of the board's functions as the patron or the Minister, as the case may be, may from time to time require.
(5) Where either the Minister or a patron proposes to exercise functions under this section then—
(a) the Minister shall inform the patron, or
(b) the patron shall inform the Minister,
as appropriate, of the proposed course of action.
Report and information.
20.—A board shall establish procedures for informing the parents of students in the school of matters relating to the operation and performance of the school and such procedures may include the publication and circulation to parents, teachers and other staff and a student council where one has been established of a report on the operation and performance of the school in any school year, with particular reference to the achievement of objectives as set out in the school plan provided for under section 21.
The school plan.
21.—(1) A board shall, as soon as may be after its appointment, make arrangements for the preparation of a plan (in this section referred to as the “school plan”) and shall ensure that the plan is regularly reviewed and updated.
(2) The school plan shall state the objectives of the school relating to equality of access to and participation in the school and the measures which the school proposes to take to achieve those objectives including equality of access to and participation in the school by students with disabilities or who have other special educational needs.
(3) The school plan shall be prepared in accordance with such directions, including directions relating to consultation with the parents, the patron, staff and students of the school, as may be given from time to time by the Minister in relation to school plans.
(4) A board shall make arrangements for the circulation of copies of the school plan to the patron, parents, teachers and other staff of the school.
PART V
The Principal and Teachers
Functions of Principal and teachers.
22.—(1) The Principal of a recognised school and the teachers in a recognised school, under the direction of the Principal, shall have responsibility, in accordance with this Act, for the instruction provided to students in the school and shall contribute, generally, to the education and personal development of students in that school.
(2) Without prejudice to subsection (1), the Principal and teachers shall—
(a) encourage and foster learning in students,
(b) regularly evaluate students and periodically report the results of the evaluation to the students and their parents,
(c) collectively promote co-operation between the school and the community which it serves, and
(d) subject to the terms of any applicable collective agreement and their contract of employment, carry out those duties that—
(i) in the case of teachers, are assigned to them by or at the direction of the Principal, and
(ii) in the case of the Principal, are assigned to him or her by the board.
The Principal.
23.—(1) A board shall, in accordance with procedures agreed from time to time between the Minister, the patron, recognised school management organisations and any recognised trade union or staff association representing teachers, appoint to the school in a whole-time capacity a person to be Principal of that school subject to such terms and conditions as may be determined from time to time by the Minister with the consent of the Minister for Finance.
(2) In addition to the functions of a Principal provided for in section 22, the Principal shall—
(a) be responsible for the day-to-day management of the school, including guidance and direction of the teachers and other staff of the school, and be accountable to the board for that management,
(b) provide leadership to the teachers and other staff and the students of the school,
(c) be responsible for the creation, together with the board, parents of students and the teachers, of a school environment which is supportive of learning among the students and which promotes the professional development of the teachers,
(d) under the direction of the board and, in consultation with the teachers, the parents and, to the extent appropriate to their age and experience, the students, set objectives for the school and monitor the achievement of those objectives, and
(e) encourage the involvement of parents of students in the school in the education of those students and in the achievement of the objectives of the school.
(3) For the purpose of carrying out his or her functions under this Act, a Principal shall have all such powers as are necessary or expedient in that regard, and shall carry out his or her functions in accordance with such policies as may be determined from time to time by the board and regulations made in accordance with section 33.
(4) The Principal shall be entitled to be a member of any and every committee appointed by a board.
(5) Where, at the commencement of this section, the employer of the Principal in a post-primary school is a person or body of persons other than the board of the school then subsection (1) shall apply as if the person who or the body which, at such commencement and from time to time thereafter, is such employer, is substituted for the board as therein referred to.
(6) Wherever practicable, the Principal shall, in exercising his or her functions under this section, consult with teachers and other staff of the school.
Provisions relating to staff.
24.—(1) Subject to this section, a board may appoint such and so many persons as teachers and other staff of a school as the board from time to time thinks necessary for the performance of its powers and functions under this Act.
(2) The numbers and qualifications of teachers and other staff of a school, who are to be paid from monies provided by the Oireachtas, shall be subject to the approval of the Minister, with the concurrence of the Minister for Finance.
(3) A board shall appoint teachers and other staff, who are to be paid from monies provided by the Oireachtas, and may suspend or dismiss such teachers and staff, in accordance with procedures agreed from time to time between the Minister, the patron, recognised school management organisations and any recognised trade union and staff association representing teachers or other staff as appropriate.
(4) Pending the agreement of procedures provided for in subsection (3), the procedures applied in the appointment, suspension and dismissal of teachers or other staff immediately before the commencement of this section shall, after such commencement, continue to be applied.
(5) The terms and conditions of employment of teachers and other staff of a school appointed by a board and who are to be paid from monies provided by the Oireachtas shall be determined by the Minister, with the concurrence of the Minister for Finance.
(6) Where all or part of the remuneration and superannuation of teachers and other staff of a school is paid or is to be paid from monies provided by the Oireachtas, such remuneration or superannuation shall be determined from time to time by the Minister, with the concurrence of the Minister for Finance.
(7) Where, at the commencement of this section the employer of the teachers or other staff in a post-primary school is a person or body of persons other than the board of the school, then subsections (1), (3) and (5) shall apply as if the person who or the body which, at such commencement and from time to time thereafter, is such employer, is substituted for the board as therein referred to.
(8) Except in the case of an agreement as provided for in subsection (3), nothing in this Act shall have the effect of altering, after the commencement of this Act, the terms and conditions of teachers and other staff of a school under which they were employed before such commencement.
(9) This section shall not apply to teachers or other staff of a school which is established or maintained by a vocational education committee.
PART VI
Miscellaneous
School year, week, day.
25.—The Minister may, from time to time, following consultation with patrons, national associations of parents, recognised school management organisations and recognised trade unions and staff associations representing teachers, prescribe—
(a) the minimum number of days in a school year during which a school shall be open to receive students and provide them with instruction,
(b) the minimum number of hours of instruction in a school day or in a school week, and
(c) any matters related to the length of the school year, the school week or the school day and the organisation and structure of such year, week or day.
Parents’ association.
26.—(1) The parents of students of a recognised school may establish, and maintain from among their number, a parents’ association for that school and membership of that association shall be open to all parents of students of that school.
(2) A parents’ association shall promote the interests of the students in a school in co-operation with the board, Principal, teachers and students of a school and for that purpose may—
(a) advise the Principal or the board on any matter relating to the school and the principal or board, as the case may be, shall have regard to any such advice, and
(b) adopt a programme of activities which will promote the involvement of parents, in consultation with the Principal, in the operation of the school.
(3) The board shall promote contact between the school, parents of students in that school and the community and shall facilitate and give all reasonable assistance to parents who wish to establish a parents’ association and to a parents’ association when it is established.
(4) (a) A parents’ association shall, following consultation with its members, make rules governing its meetings and the business and conduct of its affairs.
(b) Where a parents’ association is affiliated to a national association of parents, the rules referred to in paragraph (a) shall be in accordance with guidelines issued by that national association of parents with the concurrence of the Minister.
Information to students and student council.
27.—(1) A board shall establish and maintain procedures for the purposes of informing students in a school of the activities of the school.
(2) The procedures established and maintained under subsection (1) shall facilitate the involvement of the students in the operation of the school, having regard to the age and experience of the students, in association with their parents and teachers.
(3) Students of a post-primary school may establish a student council and, without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1), a board of a post-primary school shall encourage the establishment by students of a student council and shall facilitate and give all reasonable assistance to—
(a) students who wish to establish a student council, and
(b) student councils when they have been established.
(4) A student council shall promote the interests of the school and the involvement of students in the affairs of the school, in co-operation with the board, parents and teachers.
(5) The rules for the establishment of a student council shall be drawn up by the board, in accordance with such guidelines as may be issued by the Minister from time to time, and such rules may provide for the election of members and the dissolution of a student council.
(6) A student council, following consultation with the board, may make rules governing its meetings and the business and conduct of its affairs.
Grievance and other procedures.
28.—(1) The Minister, following consultation with patrons of recognised schools, national associations of parents, recognised school management organisations and recognised trade unions and staff associations representing teachers, may from time to time prescribe procedures in accordance with which—
(a) the parent of a student or, in the case of a student who has reached the age of 18 years, the student, may appeal to the board against a decision of a teacher or other member of staff of a school,
(b) grievances of students, or their parents, relating to the students’ school (other than those which may be dealt with under paragraph (a) or section 29), shall be heard, and
(c) appropriate remedial action shall, where necessary, be taken as a consequence of an appeal or in response to a grievance.
(2) In prescribing procedures for the purposes of this section the Minister shall have regard to the desirability of determining appeals and resolving grievances in the school concerned.
Appeals to Secretary General.
29.—(1) Where a board or a person acting on behalf of the board—
(a) permanently excludes a student from a school, or
(b) suspends a student from attendance at a school for a period to be prescribed for the purpose of this paragraph, or
(c) refuses to enroll a student in a school, or
(d) makes a decision of a class which the Minister, following consultation with patrons, national associations of parents, recognised school management organisations, recognised trade unions and staff associations representing teachers, may from time to time determine may be appealed in accordance with this section,
the parent of the student, or in the case of a student who has reached the age of 18 years, the student, may, within a reasonable time from the date that the parent or student was informed of the decision and following the conclusion of any appeal procedures provided by the school or the patron, in accordance with section 28, appeal that decision to the Secretary General of the Department of Education and Science and that appeal shall be heard by a committee appointed under subsection (2).
(2) For the purposes of the hearing and determination of an appeal under this section, the Minister shall appoint one or more than one committee (in this section referred to as an “appeals committee”) each of which shall include in its membership an Inspector and such other persons as the Minister considers appropriate.
(3) Where a committee is appointed under subsection (2) the Minister shall appoint one of its number to be the chairperson of that committee and who, in the case of an equal division of votes, shall have a second or casting vote.
(4) In hearing and determining an appeal under this section an appeals committee shall act in accordance with such procedures as may be determined from time to time by the Minister following consultation with patrons, national associations of parents, recognised school management organisations and recognised trade unions and staff associations representing teachers and such procedures shall ensure that—
(a) the parties to the appeal are assisted to reach agreement on the matters the subject of the appeal where the appeals committee is of the opinion that reaching such agreement is practicable in the circumstances,
(b) hearings are conducted with the minimum of formality consistent with giving all parties a fair hearing, and
(c) appeals are dealt with within a period of 30 days from the date of the receipt of the appeal by the Secretary General, except where, on the application in writing of the appeals committee stating the reasons for a delay in determining the appeal, the Secretary General consents in writing to extend the period by not more than 14 days.
(5) On the determination of an appeal made under this section, the appeals committee shall send notice in writing of its determination of the appeal and the reasons for that determination to the Secretary General.
(6) Where—
(a) an appeals committee upholds a complaint in whole or in part, and
(b) it appears to the appeals committee that any matter which was the subject of the complaint (so far as upheld) should be remedied,
the appeals committee shall make recommendations to the Secretary General as to the action to be taken.
(7) As soon as practicable after the receipt by the Secretary General of the notice referred to in subsection (5), the Secretary General—
(a) shall, by notice in writing, inform the person who made the appeal and the board of the determination of the appeals committee and the reasons therefor, and
(b) in a case to which subsection (6) applies, may in such notice give such directions to the board as appear to the Secretary General (having regard to any recommendations made by the appeals committee) to be expedient for the purpose of remedying the matter which was the subject of the appeal and the board shall act in accordance with such directions.
(8) The Minister, in consultation with patrons of schools, national associations of parents, recognised school management organisations and recognised trade unions and staff associations representing teachers, shall from time to time review the operation of this section and section 28 and the first such review shall take place not more than two years from the commencement of this section.
(9) In the case of a school which is established or maintained by a vocational education committee an appeal against a decision of the board of such school shall lie, in the first instance, to the vocational education committee and thereafter to the Secretary General in accordance with subsection (1).
(10) The Minister shall, from time to time, following consultation with vocational education committees, national associations of parents and recognised trade unions and staff associations representing teachers, prescribe—
(a) the procedures for appeals under this section to vocational education committees, and
(b) which appeals shall inquire into whether the procedure adopted by a board in reaching a decision or conducting an appeal was fair and reasonable and which appeals shall be by way of a full re-hearing.
(11) The Secretary General may, in accordance with sections 4 (1) (i) and 9 of the Public Service Management Act, 1997, assign the responsibility for the performance of the functions for which the Secretary General is responsible under this section to another officer of the Department of Education and Science.
(12) For the purposes of subsection (1)(c), “student” means a person who applies for enrolment at a school and that person or his or her parents may appeal against a refusal to enroll him or her in the same manner as a student or his or her parents may appeal a decision under this section.
Curriculum.
30.—(1) The Minister may, from time to time, following such consultation with patrons of schools, national associations of parents, recognised school management organisations and recognised trade unions and staff associations representing teachers, as the Minister considers appropriate, prescribe the curriculum for recognised schools, namely—
(a) the subjects to be offered in recognised schools,
(b) the syllabus of each subject,
(c) the amount of instruction time to be allotted to each subject, and
(d) the guidance and counselling provision to be offered in schools.
(2) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1), the Minister—
(a) shall have regard to the desirability of assisting schools to exercise their powers as provided for under subsection (4),
(b) shall have regard to the characteristic spirit of a school or class of school in exercising his or her functions under this section,
(c) may give directions to schools, where he or she considers it appropriate, to ensure that the subjects and syllabuses pursued in those schools are appropriate and relevant to the educational and vocational needs of the students in those schools,
(d) shall ensure that the amount of instruction time to be allotted to subjects on the curriculum as determined by the Minister in each school day shall be such as to allow for such reasonable instruction time, as the board with the consent of the patron determines, for subjects relating to or arising from the characteristic spirit of the school, and
(e) shall not require any student to attend instruction in any subject which is contrary to the conscience of the parent of the student or in the case of a student who has reached the age of 18 years, the student.
(3) The Minister may—
(a) consult with the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment and such other persons or bodies of persons as the Minister considers appropriate on any matter relating to the curriculum for recognised schools, and
(b) establish, as the Minister considers appropriate, such bodies of persons to conduct research and to advise him or her on matters relating to his or her duties under this section.
(4) A school may, subject to the requirement that the curriculum as determined by the Minister is taught in that school, provide courses of instruction in such other subjects as the board considers appropriate.
Teaching through Irish.
31.—(1) The Minister shall establish a body of persons—
(a) (i) to plan and co-ordinate the provision of textbooks and aids to learning and teaching through Irish,
(ii) to advise the Minister on policies relating to the provision and promotion of education through the medium of Irish in recognised schools generally and in schools located in a Gaeltacht area,
(iii) to provide support services to those schools through the medium of Irish, and
(iv) to conduct research into any or all matters to which this paragraph applies,
and
(b) to plan and co-ordinate the provision of textbooks and aids to the learning and teaching of Irish and to conduct research into and to advise the Minister on strategies which have as their objective the enhancement of the effectiveness in the teaching of Irish in recognised schools and centres for education.
(2) The Minister may by order, made with the consent of the Minister for Finance, delegate any of his or her functions in respect of the matters referred to in subsection (1) to the body established in accordance with that subsection which shall carry out those functions under the direction and control of the Minister.
(3) The body established in accordance with subsection (1)—
(a) shall, with the consent of the Minister, establish a committee to assist it in the performance of the functions conferred on it under subsection (1)(b), and
(b) may, with the consent of the Minister, at any time dissolve a committee appointed under this subsection or remove a member of a committee from such membership.
(4) The body established in accordance with subsection (1) shall, from time to time, as it considers appropriate, advise the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment on matters relating to—
(a) the teaching of Irish,
(b) the provision of education through the medium of Irish, including matters relating to the curriculum for primary and post-primary schools which provide education through the medium of Irish and assessment procedures employed in those schools, and
(c) the educational needs of people living in a Gaeltacht area,
and the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment shall have regard to any such advice in the exercise by it of its functions.
(5) The Minister may by order amend or revoke any order made under this section, including an order made under this subsection.
(6) In each financial year the Minister, with the concurrence of the Minister for Finance, out of monies provided by the Oireachtas, may make to the body appointed in accordance with subsection (1) a grant or grants for the purposes of expenditure by that body in the performance of its functions.
(7) The Minister may provide such secretarial and administrative support to a body established under this section as the Minister considers necessary.
Educational disadvantage.
32.—(1) The Minister shall by order, following consultation with patrons, national associations of parents, recognised school management organisations, recognised trade unions and staff associations representing teachers and such other persons as the Minister considers appropriate, establish a committee, hereinafter referred to as the “educational disadvantage committee”, to advise him or her on policies and strategies to be adopted to identify and correct educational disadvantage.
(2) Subject to subsection (3), the Minister shall appoint persons to be members of an educational disadvantage committee for such period not exceeding three years as he or she thinks fit and may renew such appointments as he or she thinks fit.
(3) Up to half of the membership of the educational disadvantage committee shall be appointed from nominees of such voluntary and other bodies which have objects which the Minister considers relevant to the work of the committee.
(4) The Minister may by order amend or revoke any order made under this section, including an order made under this subsection.
(5) The educational disadvantage committee may, as soon as is practicable after it has been established and, thereafter, from time to time as it considers appropriate, prepare and submit to the Minister a statement containing—
(a) proposed policies and strategies for the identification and correction of educational disadvantage, relating to such period as it considers appropriate, and
(b) the areas of activity to which the committee accords priority.
(6) In preparing a statement as provided for in subsection (5), the educational disadvantage committee shall have regard to—
(a) the resources, including the financial resources, available, and
(b) the public interest in ensuring that the resources available are applied in an effective and efficient manner.
(7) In each financial year the Minister, with the concurrence of the Minister for Finance, out of monies provided by the Oireachtas, may make to the educational disadvantage committee a grant or grants for the purposes of expenditure by that committee in the performance of its functions.
(8) The Minister may provide such secretarial and administrative support to the educational disadvantage committee as the Minister considers necessary.
(9) In this section “educational disadvantage” means the impediments to education arising from social or economic disadvantage which prevent students from deriving appropriate benefit from education in schools.
Regulations.
33.—The Minister, following consultation with patrons, national associations of parents, recognised school management organisations and recognised trade unions and staff associations representing teachers, may make regulations for the purpose of giving effect to this Act and, without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, the Minister may make regulations relating to all or any of the following matters:
(a) the recognition of schools and the withdrawal of recognition from schools;
(b) the making of grants by the Minister to schools and centres for education;
(c) the appointment and qualifications of persons who are to be employed as teachers in schools or centres for education;
(d) the inspection of schools;
(e) the building, maintenance and equipment of schools;
(f) the length of the school year, school week and school day;
(g) admission of students to schools;
(h) access to schools by school attendance officers and other persons;
(i) access to schools and centres for education by students with disabilities or who have other special educational needs, including matters relating to reasonable accommodation and technical aid and equipment for such students;
(j) procedures for the promotion of effective liaison and co-operation by schools and centres for education with—
(i) other schools and centres for education,
(ii) local authorities (within the meaning of the Local Government Act, 1941),
(iii) health boards (within the meaning of the Health Act, 1970), and
(iv) voluntary and other bodies which have a special interest in education, in particular, education of students with special educational needs;
(k) appeals, and
(l) the curriculum of schools.
Financial year.
34.—In this Act “financial year” means such period of 12 months as may be prescribed by the Minister.
Amendment of Intermediate Education (Ireland) Act, 1878.
35.—(1) Section 5 of the Intermediate Education (Ireland) Act, 1878, is hereby amended in subsection (4) by the deletion of “; provided that no examination shall be held in any subject of religious instruction, nor any payment made in respect thereof”.
(2) Without prejudice to the application of the Intermediate Education (Ireland) Act, 1878, to both male and female students, section 6 of that Act is hereby amended by the repeal of subsection (4).
Amendment of Vocational Education Act, 1930.
36.—The Vocational Education Act, 1930, is hereby amended—
(a) in section 105(1) by the substitution of “a person” for “an officer of the Minister”, and
(b) in sections 106 and 107 by the substitution of “a person” for “an officer” wherever it occurs.
Education support centres.
37.—(1) In this section “education support centre” means a place in which services are provided for schools, teachers, parents, boards and other relevant persons which support them in carrying out their functions in respect of the provision of education which is recognised for that purpose by the Minister in accordance with subsection (2).
(2) The Minister may recognise a place as an education support centre and where the Minister so recognises a place he or she shall cause the name and address of that centre to be entered in a register maintained by the Minister and available for inspection by members of the public during normal working hours.
(3) An education support centre shall have a management committee, to manage the business and staff of that centre.
(4) A committee established in accordance with subsection (3) shall be a body corporate with perpetual succession and with power to sue and may be sued in its corporate name and no action shall lie against a member of a board in respect of anything done by that member in good faith and in pursuance of their functions as such members.
(5) The Minister may withdraw recognition from an education support centre.
(6) The Minister may, from time to time, make regulations relating to all or any of the following matters:
(a) procedures for the appointment of management committees;
(b) the appointment and remuneration of staff;
(c) the making of grants to education support centres;
(d) the provision of information to the Minister on any matter relating to the operation of education support centres;
(e) access to an education support centre and to the financial and other records of that education support centre by persons appointed by the Minister, and
(f) such other matters relating to the operation of such centres as the Minister considers appropriate.
PART VII
National Council for Curriculum and Assessment
Establishment day.
38.—The Minister shall by order appoint a day to be the establishment day for the purposes of this Part.
Establishment of National Council for Curriculum and Assessment.
39.—(1) There shall stand established on the establishment day a body to be known as the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, or in the Irish language An Chomhairle Náisiúnta Curaclaim agus Measúnachta (in this Act referred to as “the Council”) to perform the functions assigned to it by or under this Act.
(2) The Council shall be a body corporate with perpetual succession and an official seal and shall have power to sue and may be sued in its corporate name and, with the consent of the Minister, to acquire, hold and dispose of land or an interest in land and to acquire, hold and dispose of other property.
(3) Schedule 1 shall apply to the Council.
Composition and appointment.
40.—(1) The composition of the Council shall be determined by order, made by the Minister following consultation with patrons, national associations of parents, recognised school management organisations, recognised trade unions and staff associations representing teachers and with such other persons or bodies of persons as the Minister considers appropriate.
(2) In determining the composition of the Council, the Minister shall ensure that, as far as is practicable, the membership of the Council—
(a) is representative of bodies and persons involved in the education system at early childhood and primary and post-primary levels, in particular national associations of parents, recognised school management organisations and recognised trade unions and staff associations representing teachers, and
(b) includes other persons who—
(i) have experience or skills, including experience of and skills in business and industry, which in the opinion of the Minister are relevant to the work of the Council and would complement the experience and skills of the persons appointed in accordance with paragraph (a),
(ii) have a special interest in, or experience of, the education of students with a disability or other special educational needs, or
(iii) are representative of Irish language organisations,
as the Minister considers appropriate.
(3) The Minister may, by order, amend or revoke an order made under this section, including an order made under this subsection.
(4) The members of the Council shall be appointed by the Minister in accordance with regulations drawn up by the Minister following consultation with patrons, national associations of parents, recognised school management organisations, recognised trade unions and staff associations representing teachers and with such other persons or bodies of persons as the Minister considers appropriate.
Objects and functions.
41.—(1) The object of the Council shall be to advise the Minister on matters relating to—
(a) the curriculum for early childhood education, primary and post-primary schools, and
(b) the assessment procedures employed in schools and examinations on subjects which are part of the curriculum.
(2) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1), it shall be a function of the Council:
(a) from time to time to review the curriculum, or any part of the curriculum, for schools and the syllabuses taught and to advise the Minister;
(b) to advise the Minister on appropriate methods for the assessment of the effectiveness of the education provided in schools, with particular regard to mechanisms whereby students who have problems achieving their potential may be identified as early as practicable and assisted;
(c) to advise the Minister on strategies which will assist students to make a successful transition from primary school to post-primary school;
(d) from time to time to advise the Minister on the standards of knowledge and skills which students at various age-levels should attain and on the mechanisms for assessing the achievement of such standards, having regard to national and international standards and good practice in relation to such assessment;
(e) from time to time to review the inservice training needs of teachers, including needs arising from the introduction of new curricula, subjects or syllabuses in schools, and to advise the Minister in relation to those needs;
(f) to advise the Minister on the requirements, as regards curriculum and syllabuses, of students with a disability or other special educational needs;
(g) to advise the Minister on strategies which have as their objective the enhancement of the effectiveness in the teaching and use of the Irish language in schools;
(h) to maintain, manage, administer and invest all the money and assets of the Council;
(i) to promote research and development in education and to conduct or commission such research and development where appropriate to its objects and functions;
(j) to promote equality of access to education generally and to instruction in any particular subjects between male and female students;
(k) to accept gifts of money, land or other property upon such trusts and conditions, if any, as may be specified by the donors, provided that nothing in any trust or condition is contrary to this Act, and
(l) to do all such acts and things as may be necessary to further the objects of the Council, including such functions in relation to review and reform of the curriculum in schools and the assessment of the outcomes of the education provided in schools as the Minister shall from time to time direct.
(3) In carrying out its functions the Council shall—
(a) have regard to the implications of its advice for the resources, including financial resources, available and shall quantify, as far as practicable, the resources necessary to give effect to any of its proposals,
(b) have regard to the desirability of achieving equality of access to, participation in and benefit from education,
(c) act in accordance with such directions as may from time to time be given to the Council by the Minister, including directions as to the priority to be accorded to the exercise by it of its different functions, and
(d) have regard to the practicalities of implementation of any advice which it proposes to give to the Minister.
Consultation with designated bodies.
42.—(1) The Minister may, for the purposes of this section, by order designate persons who, or organisations which, have a special interest in the exercise by the Council of its functions and the persons or organisations so designated are hereinafter referred to as “designated bodies”.
(2) The Council shall, from time to time as it considers appropriate, consult with designated bodies and shall consult with such bodies when requested to do so by the Minister.
(3) A designated body may at any time, as it considers appropriate, make representations to the Council on any matter relating to the functions of the Council and the Council shall consider such representations and shall inform the designated body of the outcome of that consideration.
(4) The Council shall give to each designated body a copy of each publication issued by it as soon as may be after it has been issued.
Chief executive officer.
43.—(1) The Minister shall, from time to time, appoint to the Council in a whole-time capacity a chief executive officer who shall carry on, manage and generally control the administration of the Council and shall manage and control the staff of the Council.
(2) The person who, immediately before the day on which the chief executive officer is appointed under subsection (1), holds the office of chief executive officer of the body of persons known as National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, being an unincorporated and non-statutory body of persons appointed by the Minister shall, if he or she so consents, be appointed as the first chief executive officer of the Council.
(3) The chief executive officer shall be employed by the Minister in accordance with such terms and conditions, which may include secondment from another office or employment, and receive such remuneration as the Minister, with the consent of the Minister for Finance, from time to time determines.
Staff.
44.—(1) The Minister, with the consent of the Minister for Finance, may appoint such and so many persons to assist the Council in the performance of its functions as the Minister considers appropriate.
(2) The persons appointed in accordance with subsection (1) shall be employed in accordance with such terms and conditions, which may include secondment from another office or employment, and receive such remuneration as the Minister, with the consent of the Minister for Finance, from time to time determines.
(3) The Minister may provide such administrative and secretarial support to the Council as he or she considers necessary.
(4) The Civil Service Commissioners Act, 1956, and the Civil Service Regulation Acts, 1956 to 1996, shall apply to full-time, permanent employees of the Council.
Grants.
45.—In each financial year the Minister, with the concurrence of the Minister for Finance, out of monies provided by the Oireachtas, may make to the Council a grant or grants for the purposes of expenditure by the Council in the performance of its functions.
Accounts and information.
46.—(1) The Council shall keep, in such form as may be approved of by the Minister, with the concurrence of the Minister for Finance, all proper and usual accounts and records of all monies received or expenditure incurred by it and, in particular, shall keep in such form as aforesaid such special accounts and records as the Minister may, with the concurrence of the Minister for Finance, from time to time direct.
(2) Accounts kept in pursuance of this section shall be submitted annually by the Council to the Comptroller and Auditor General for audit on a date not later than the thirtieth day of April in the year following the year to which the accounts relate, or on such other date as the Minister may from time to time determine, and, immediately after the audit, a copy of the accounts and of such other accounts, if any, as the Minister has directed to be kept, together with a copy of the report of the Comptroller and Auditor General on the accounts shall be presented by the Council to the Minister.
(3) The Minister shall cause copies of the accounts presented to him or her under this section by the Council, together with copies of the report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon, to be laid before each House of the Oireachtas.
(4) The Council shall provide the Minister with such information regarding the performance of its functions as the Minister may from time to time require.
Committees.
47.—The Council may—
(a) establish committees, consisting either wholly or partly of persons who are members of the Council, to assist it in the performance of its functions,
(b) delegate to a committee appointed under this section any of its functions that may be better or more conveniently performed by a committee, and
(c) at any time dissolve a committee appointed under this section or remove a member of a committee from such membership.
Annual Report.
48.—As soon as may be after the end of each year, the Council shall prepare and submit to the Minister, in such form as may be determined by the Minister, a report on the performance of the Council in that year.
PART VIII
Examinations
Interpretation.
49.—In this Part—
“candidate” means a person who, in accordance with procedures determined from time to time by the Minister, is registered to present himself or herself for an examination;
“examiner” means a person who is employed by the Minister for the purpose of—
(a) the preparation of examination papers or other examination materials,
(b) the marking of such papers or other such materials, or
(c) the carrying out of any other functions in respect of the conduct of examinations;
“examination” means an examination relating to post-primary, adult and vocational education and vocational training as may from time to time be conducted in accordance with procedures determined by the Minister or by a body of persons established by the Minister and to which this Part applies in accordance with section 50;
“examination paper” includes any paper, plan, map, drawing, diagram, pictorial or graphic work or other document and any photograph, film or recording (whether of sound or images or both)—
(a) in which questions are set for answer by candidates as part of an examination or which are related to such questions, or
(b) in which projects or practical exercises are set which candidates are required to complete as part of an examination or which are related to such projects or exercises.
Examinations.
50.—(1) This Part shall apply to the examinations set out in Schedule 2.
(2) In addition to the examinations set out in Schedule 2, the Minister may from time to time prescribe such other examinations as he or she considers appropriate to which this Part shall apply.
Regulations.
51.—(1) The Minister may make regulations as he or she from time to time considers appropriate for the effective conduct of examinations and in particular, without prejudice to the generality of the aforesaid, may make regulations relating to—
(a) the preparation of an examination paper and other examination materials,
(b) procedures at places where examinations are conducted, including the supervision of examinations,
(c) the marking of work presented for examination,
(d) the issuing of results of examinations,
(e) the charging and collection of fees for examinations,
(f) the terms under which candidates may appeal against the results of an examination and the procedure for such appeals,
(g) the penalties to be imposed on a person who acts in breach of regulations made by the Minister or who otherwise misconducts himself or herself in respect of an examination, and
(h) the designation of places where examinations may be held.
(2) The Minister may from time to time appoint a person or a body of persons to advise him or her on any matter relating to the examinations or to supervise or review any part of the conduct of the examinations, including appeals by candidates against the results of examinations.
Offences.
52.—(1) A person who—
(a) knowingly and without lawful authority publishes an examination paper or part of such paper to any other person prior to the holding of the examination concerned,
(b) has in his or her possession without lawful authority an examination paper or part of such paper prior to the holding of the examination concerned,
(c) carries out any duties relating to the preparation of examination papers and knowingly and without lawful authority provides a candidate for an examination or any other person with information concerning the material prepared by him or her in the course of those duties with the intention of conferring an advantage upon a candidate over other candidates,
(d) knowingly and wilfully credits a candidate with higher marks than the marks to which that candidate was entitled with the intention of conferring an advantage on that candidate over other candidates,
(e) knowingly and maliciously credits a candidate with lower marks than the marks to which that candidate was entitled,
(f) personates a candidate at an examination or knowingly allows or assists a person to personate a candidate at an examination,
(g) knowingly and maliciously destroys or damages any material relating to an examination,
(h) knowingly and maliciously obstructs any candidate or a person engaged in the conduct of an examination or otherwise interferes with the general conduct of an examination,
(i) knowingly and without lawful authority alters any certificate or any other record, including a record in machine-readable form, containing the results of an examination, or
(j) knowingly issues or makes use of any certificate or other document which purports to be a document issued by the person or body under whose authority the examination was conducted and to contain the results of an examination knowing that those results are false,
shall be guilty of an offence.
(2) A person who knowingly aids, abets, counsels or procures another person to commit any offence under subsection (1) or conspires with another person for the commission of any such offence shall be guilty of an offence.
(3) A person who is guilty of an offence under this section shall be liable—
(a) on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding £1,500 or (at the discretion of the court) to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months, or to both such fine and such imprisonment, or
(b) on conviction on indictment, to a fine not exceeding £5,000 or (at the discretion of the court) to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years, or to both such fine and such imprisonment.
(4) No action shall lie against an examiner in respect of anything done by him or her in good faith and in pursuance of his or her functions as an examiner.
Refusal of access to certain information.
53.—Notwithstanding any other enactment the Minister may—
(a) refuse access to any information which would enable the compilation of information (that is not otherwise available to the general public) in relation to the comparative performance of schools in respect of the academic achievement of students enrolled therein, including, without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing—
(i) the overall results in any year of students in a particular school in an examination, or
(ii) the comparative overall results in any year of students in different schools in an examination,
and
(b) refuse access to information relating to the identity of examiners.
PART IX
Bodies Corporate
Establishment of bodies to provide services related to education.
54.—(1) The Minister, with the concurrence of the Government, may from time to time by order (in this Act referred to as an “establishment order”) establish a body to perform, subject to subsection (2), functions in or in relation to the provision of support services.
(2) The performance of functions by a body established under subsection (1) shall be subject to the determination of matters of policy by the Minister.
(3) A body established under subsection (1) shall be known by such title as may be specified in the establishment order.
(4) A body so established shall be a body corporate with perpetual succession and a seal and with power to sue and be sued in its corporate name and to hold land.
(5) The Minister may from time to time by order amend an establishment order or an order made under this subsection.
(6) The person appointed as principal officer of a body established under subsection (1) shall be accountable to the Minister in carrying out the functions referred to in that subsection.
(7) Before making an order under this section the Minister shall consult, as the Minister considers appropriate, with persons directly affected by the proposed order or with trade unions or associations representing such persons.
(8) Notwithstanding section 5, the Minister shall not make an order under this section unless he or she has first caused to be laid before each House of the Oireachtas a draft of the proposed order and a resolution approving of the draft has been passed by both Houses.
Membership and staff.
55.—(1) Every establishment order shall contain such provisions as the Minister considers appropriate in relation to—
(a) the number of members of the body established by the order, the method, terms and conditions of their appointment and their tenure of office, and
(b) the number, grades, qualifications, method of appointment (including secondment), conditions of service, tenure of office and the remuneration and superannuation of the persons employed in or by the body so established.
(2) A person seconded or transferred to a body established under section 54, shall not, while in the service of that body, receive less remuneration or be subject to less beneficial conditions of service than the remuneration to which that person was entitled and the conditions of service to which that person was subject prior to such secondment or transfer.
Functions.
56.—An establishment order shall contain such provisions as the Minister considers appropriate defining the functions of the body established by the order and the manner in which and the conditions under which the body so established may perform the functions so defined.
Administration.
57.—An establishment order shall contain such provisions relating to the administration generally of the body established by the order as the Minister considers appropriate including provisions relating to—
(a) the meetings of the body so established and the procedure at such meetings,
(b) the use and authentication of its seal,
(c) the regulation of its finances and the keeping and auditing of its accounts, and
(d) the furnishing to the Minister by such body from time to time of information regarding the performance of its functions, and the furnishing of such information to the Minister at any time at his or her request.
Grants.
58.—In each financial year the Minister, with the concurrence of the Minister for Finance, out of monies provided by the Oireachtas, may make to a body appointed under section 54 a grant for the purposes of expenditure by that body in the performance of its functions.
Revocation of establishment order.
59.—(1) The Minister may at any time by order revoke an establishment order.
(2) A revoking order shall contain such provisions as the Minister thinks necessary or expedient consequential on the revocation, and, in particular, may make provision for—
(a) the dissolution of the body established by the establishment order and the transfer or distribution of the property, rights and liabilities thereof to any of the following—
(i) the Minister, or
(ii) any one or more than one other body established by an establishment order,
(b) the preservation of continuing contracts made by the dissolved body,
(c) the continuance of pending legal proceedings,
(d) notwithstanding any restriction in any other Act, the transfer of the holder of any office under the dissolved body to—
(i) the Department of Education and Science, or
(ii) any other body established by an establishment order.
SCHEDULE 1
The Council
1. (1) As soon as may be after its establishment the Council shall acquire and retain in its possession a seal.
(2) The seal of the Council shall be authenticated by the signature of the chairperson or a member of the Council authorised by the Council to act in that behalf and by the signature of an officer of the Council authorised to act in that behalf.
(3) Judicial notice shall be taken of the seal of the Council and every document purporting to be an instrument made by the Council and to be sealed with the seal (purporting to be authenticated in accordance with this Schedule) of the Council shall be received in evidence and shall be deemed to be such instrument without proof unless the contrary is shown.
2. (1) The Minister shall appoint the chairperson of the Council.
(2) The chairperson may, at any time, resign from office as chairperson by letter addressed to the Minister and the resignation shall take effect from the date on which the letter is received.
3. The term of office of a member (including the chairperson) shall not be greater than five years.
4. (1) If a member of the Council dies, resigns, becomes disqualified, is removed from office or for any other reason ceases to hold office, the Minister may appoint a person to be a member of the Council to fill the casual vacancy so occasioned and the person so appointed shall be appointed in the same manner as the member of the Council who occasioned the casual vacancy.
(2) A person appointed to be a member of the Council in accordance with this paragraph shall hold office for the remainder of the term of office of the member who occasioned the casual vacancy he or she is appointed to fill and shall be eligible for re-appointment as a member of the Council.
5. (1) The Minister may, at any time, remove a member of the Council from office if he or she has committed stated misbehaviour or if his or her removal appears necessary to the Minister for the effective performance by the Council of its functions.
(2) The Minister may, at any time, for reasons stated in writing to the members of the Council, remove all such members from office.
(3) A member may, at any time, resign from office as such member by letter addressed to the Minister and the resignation shall take effect from the date on which the letter is received.
(4) A member of the Council who is absent from all meetings of the Council for a period of six consecutive months, unless such absence was due to illness or was approved by the Council, shall be disqualified at the expiry of such period from continuing to be a member of the Council for the remainder of that person's term of office.
(5) A member (including the chairperson) whose term of office expires by effluxion of time shall be eligible for re-appointment.
6. (1) The Council shall, from time to time as occasion requires, appoint from amongst its members (other than the chairperson) two members to be deputy-chairpersons of the Council.
(2) A deputy-chairperson of the Council shall, unless that member sooner resigns, hold office until the expiration of that member's period of office as a member of the Council.
7. (1) Where a member of the Council (including the chairperson)—
(a) accepts nomination as a member of Seanad Éireann, or
(b) is elected as a member of either House of the Oireachtas or as a representative in the European Parliament, or
(c) is regarded pursuant to Part XIII of the Second Schedule to the European Parliament Elections Act, 1997, as having been elected to the European Parliament to fill a vacancy, or
(d) is adjudged bankrupt or makes, under the protection or procedure of a court, a composition or arrangement with creditors, or
(e) is sentenced to a term of imprisonment by a court of competent jurisdiction,
that member shall thereupon cease to be a member of the Council.
(2) A person shall not be eligible to be a member of the Council if that person—
(a) is for the time being entitled under the Standing Orders of either House of the Oireachtas to sit therein, or
(b) is for the time being a member of the European Parliament, or
(c) is an undischarged bankrupt, or
(d) within the immediately preceding three years has, under the protection or procedure of a court, made a composition or arrangement with creditors, or
(e) within the immediately preceding five years, has been sentenced to a term of imprisonment by a court of competent jurisdiction.
8. A member of the Council including the chairperson who has—
(a) any interest in any company or concern with which the Council proposes to make any contract, or
(b) any interest in any contract which the Council proposes to make,
shall disclose to the Council the fact of the interest and the nature thereof and shall take no part in any deliberation or decision of the Council relating to the contract, and the disclosure shall be recorded in the minutes of the Council.
9. The chairperson and members of the Council shall be paid, out of funds at the disposal of the Council, such allowances for expenses as the Minister, with the approval of the Minister for Finance, may decide.
10. (1) The Council shall hold such and so many meetings and at such time as the chairperson deems necessary.
(2) A chairperson shall convene a meeting of the Council whenever requested to do so by not less than six members.
(3) The quorum for a meeting of the Council shall be one third of the total number of members, rounded up to the next whole number, plus one.
11. At a meeting of the Council—
(a) the chairperson shall, if present, be the chairperson of the meeting,
(b) if and so long as the chairperson is not present or if the office of chairperson is vacant, the deputy-chairperson who is present or if both deputy-chairpersons are present the deputy-chairperson as chosen by the members of the Council who are present shall, be chairperson of the meeting,
(c) if and so long as the chairperson is not present or the office of chairperson is vacant, and a deputy-chairperson is not present or the offices of deputy-chairperson are vacant, the members of the Council who are present shall choose one of their number to be chairperson of the meeting.
12. Every question at a meeting of the Council shall be determined by a majority of the votes of members present and voting on the question and, in the case of an equal division of votes, the chairperson of the meeting shall have a second or casting vote.
13. Subject to paragraph 10 (3), the Council may act notwithstanding one or more than one vacancy among its members.
14. Subject to this Act, the Council shall regulate, by standing orders or otherwise, its procedure and business.
SCHEDULE 2
Examinations
Leaving Certificate Examination
Junior Certificate Examination
Technological Certificate Examination
Trade Certificate Examination
Certificate in Commerce Examination
Ceardteastas Gaeilge Examination
Teastas i dTeagasc na Gaeilge Examination
Typewriting Teachers Certificate Examination
Commercial Instructors Certificate Examination