asked the Minister for Education if he accepts the decision of his predecessor to abolish corporal punishment in our schools; and, if so, if he will make a statement as to the substitute arrangements, if any, he proposes to introduce.

The current situation in relation to school discipline is as set our in Circulars 9/82 and M. 5/82 issued in January 1982.

As already stated by me, I propose at an early date to establish a working party representative of management and teaching interests as well as of parent views to advise on the maintenance of discipline in schools, with special reference to the problem of disruptive pupils.

If the Minister accepts his predecessor's decision, what is his advice to teachers who find themselves in great difficulty because of the necessity to impose some semblance of discipline in classrooms? When does he expect to be able to issue final guidelines on this matter?

As I indicated, the position is that the prevailing code relating to school discipline was published in January last. The question of dealing with any problems of school discipline arising from the new arrangements is of interest and concern to school managements, and parents in some instance. There have been a number of discussions on the subject and, as I have indicated, as a result of those discussions I have arranged to put in motion the setting up of a representative committee. In the interim, essentially it is a matter for the management of each school to decide on the appropriate action to be taken.

In a case where discipline of some description must be imposed, will the Minister accept whatever the management boards decide to do?

Provided it is within the general context of the rules for the operation of schools.

Will the Minister confirm that at the moment the main alternative to corporal punishment is suspension? Will he further confirm that this is useless in a lot of schools where the children are only too willing to have a day or a week off school?

I am aware that suspension has been used as a disciplinary measure and I have discussed the merits and demerits of that with a number of people representative of management and with other interested parties.

Do I understand the Minister to say that he intends establishing a working party comprising representatives of the teaching interests, management interests and parents?

Yes.

Is that working party a replacement of the working party which it had been intended to set up in relation to which the management and teaching interests had been invited to nominate representatives.

I am not sure whether it is a replacement but, as my predecessor will know, no committee had been established prior to the change of Government and therefore I have inherited a set of questions associated with this action of my predecessor.

I appreciate——

I am sorry, Deputy. I have allowed six suplementaries already and we have 558 oral questions. I am calling Question No. 18.

I appreciate that. But I am not interested in whether or not the Minister has inherited a set of questions. What I want to establish is whether or not the teaching interests have now agreed to have parent representation on the working party.

I did not outline the detailed organisational arrangements by which this examination is taking place.

On the contrary, did the Minister not say that the working party would comprise various interests, incluing parents?

My reply was that a working party, representative of management and teaching interests as well as of parents' views, would advise on the maintenance of discipline in schools.

Does the phrase "as well as of parents' views" mean that there will be parent representation on the working party?

It means that I am making arrangements to ensure that the views of all interested parties are fully taken into account.

Does it mean that the teaching unions have removed their veto on having parents represented on the working party?

This is not an interrogation. Your colleague, Deputy Noonan, is waiting to ask a question.

(Limerick-East): Do the Minister's Department allow the detention of national school children after school hours on the school premises as a punishment and do the Department cover such children by insurance?

I am not familiar with the details of insurance arrangements for schools. I will inquire into the matter. I assume that insurance does apply and I am aware that detention is used as a form of punishment.

(Limerick-East): Will the Minister check the insurance situation?

I will indeed.

Is the Minister not prepared to answer my last question?

I am sorry. It had been overtaken by a subsequent supplementary. I have had a number of constructive discussions with the teaching organisations.

But have the teaching organisations agreed to have parent representation on the working party?

Question No. 18 has been called.

I presume that means the reply is in the negative.

It means the Minister is retaining flexibility.