Comhairle na Gaelscolaíochta
Teach an Gheata Thiar
4 Sráid na Banríona
Béal Feirste BT1 6ED
The Council for Irish-medium Education
Westgate House
4 Queen Street
Belfast BT1 6ED
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 2000
MODEL PUBLICATION SCHEME & GUIDANCE NOTES
Eanáir 2010
January 2010
Model Publication Scheme
Welcome to Comhairle na Gaelscolaíochta’s [The Council for Irish-medium Education] Publication Scheme. The Scheme is in three parts:
Part 1: Introduction
Part 2: The Classes of Information that we hold
Part 3: Inspection and Monitoring Bodies, Index to the Publication Scheme, and Useful Resources
Part 1: Introduction
1.1 What a Publication Scheme is
This Publication Scheme is a complete guide to the information routinely published by Comhairle na Gaelscolaíochta. It is a description of the information about Comhairle na Gaelscolaíochta which we make publicly available. We will review the Scheme at regular intervals and monitor how it is operating.
It is important to us that this Scheme meets your needs and we have designed it to be a route map so that you can find information about Comhairle na Gaelscolaíochta easily. Under Section 19 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (there will be a link to the Act on our website [WWW.Comhairle.org] in Part 3 below), Comhairle na Gaelscolaíochta has a legal duty to adopt and maintain a Publication Scheme for the publication of Comhairle na Gaelscolaíochta’s information. The purpose of the Act is to promote greater openness by public authorities (of which Comhairle na Gaelscolaíochta is one).
The Publication Scheme will help you to find all the information which the Comhairle na Gaelscolaíochta publishes. The Freedom of Information Act does not change the right of individuals to confidentiality in accordance with Article 8 of the Human Rights Act (1998), the Data Protection Act (1998) and at common law. Maintaining confidentiality continues to be an important commitment on our part. To help with this, we have appointed an officer(s) who has responsibility to ensure the protection of individuals’ confidentiality in accordance with your legal rights. In Comhairle na Gaelscolaíochta , this officer(s) is: an tOifigeach Sinsearach Riaracháin / The senior administration officer.
Data Protection Co-ordinator: an tOifigeach Sinsearach Riaracháin / The senior administration officer.
Comhairle na Gaelscolaíochta, Council for IM Education,
Teach an Gheata Thiar, Westgate House.
4 Sráid na Banríona, 4 Queen Street,
Béal Feirste, BT1 6ED Belfast BT1 6ED
1.2 Feedback
Any questions or comments about this Scheme, or its operation, should be sent in writing to:
Publication Scheme Co-ordinator: an tOifigeach Sinsearach Riaracháin / The senior administration officer.
Comhairle na Gaelscolaíochta, Council for IM Education,
Teach an Gheata Thiar, Westgate House.
4 Sráid na Banríona, 4 Queen Street,
Béal Feirste, BT1 6ED Belfast BT1 6ED
If you have a compliant about the operation of the Scheme or how the Comhairle na Gaelscolaíochta has dealt with your request for information from the Scheme please write to :
Comhairle na Gaelscolaíochta, Council for IM Education,
Teach an Gheata Thiar, Westgate House.
4 Sráid na Banríona, 4 Queen Street,
Béal Feirste, BT1 6ED Belfast BT1 6ED
1.3 Rights of Access to Information
At the present time, there is only access to the information identified in this Publication Scheme. Sometimes, some or all of the information cannot be provided and we will explain the reasons when this happens.
The Freedom of Information Act enables you to know how public services such as the Comhairle na Gaelscolaíochta are organised and run, how funds are used and how you can make complaints if you need to. You have the right to know which services are being provided, the targets that are being set, the standards of services that are expected and the results achieved.
From January 1st 2005 Freedom of Information Act will also oblige the Comhairle na Gaelscolaíochta to respond to requests about the information which it holds and is recorded in any form and it will create a right of access to that information. The rights to request and access this information are subject to some exemptions which the Comhairle na Gaelscolaíochta has to take into consideration before deciding what information can be released.
Under the Data Protection Act 1998, individuals are also entitled to access any personal information held about them (subject to certain exceptions) and you can contact [an tOifigeach Sinsearach Riaracháin / The senior administration officer, Comhairle na Gaelscolaíochta, Teach an Gheata Thiar, 4 Sráid na Banríona, Béal Feirste BT1 6ED / The Council for Irish-medium Education, Westgate House, 4 Queen Street, Belfast BT1 6ED] to do this.
Revised Environmental Information Regulations may be introduced in the future. These will enable similar access to environmental information, as under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.
Unless otherwise specified, the version of the document(s) available will be the most recently approved by Comhairle na Gaelscolaíochta.
Part 2: The Classes of Information
The information is grouped into broad categories as follows:
1. Comhairle na Gaelscolaíochta / The Council for Irish-medium Education.
- Who we are
- Financial and Funding Information
- Corporate Information
- Aims, Targets and Achievements
- Our Services
- Reports and Independent Enquiries
- Policies and Procedures
- Public Involvement and Consultation
- Communications with the public
- Complaints
- Human Resources
- Environmental Information
14. This Publication Scheme
We will state how you can obtain the information outlined within each Class. This will be either via the website or as a hard copy or other media as stated within each Class. The publications are all free unless otherwise indicated within each Class [£]. Where information is provided at a cost the charges will be calculated as set out in Class 14.
The Comhairle na Gaelscolaíochta’s commitment to publish information excludes any information which can legitimately be withheld under the exemptions set out in the Freedom of Information Act. Where individual classes are subject to exemptions, the main reasons are e.g. the protection of commercial interests and personal information under the Data Protection Act 1998. This applies to most Classes within the Publication Scheme. The Publication Scheme will be available in both hard copy and may be found on our web site www.comhairle.org.
Class 1. Comhairle na Gaelscolaíochta / The Council for Irish-medium Education.
Following the Education (NI) order 1998 the Department of Education established Comhairle na Gaelscolaíochta in 2000 as the representative organisation for Irish-medium education in Northern Ireland.
The Comhairle is a company limited by guarantee and not having a share capital. It also a voluntary body with charitable status. The Comhairle, a non-statutory body, promotes, facilitates and encourages the development of Irish-medium education and schools.
The Comhairle offers support and assistance to those involved in the Irish-medium education sector in three broad areas:
· Consolidation of current provision: Comhairle na Gaelscolaíochta facilitates the development of existing Irish-medium schools and preschools in a spirit of partnership, encouraging co-operation within the sector among parents, schools, other stakeholders and statutory and voluntary agencies.
· Development in support of consolidation: the Comhairle undertakes an empowering, training and campaigning role in order to achieve standards of excellence in existing schools and preschools and facilitate the continued growth and development of the sector.
· Miscellaneous support: Comhairle na Gaelscolaíochta carries out a variety of additional support functions for stakeholders within the Irish-medium education sector including assistance towards long-term and strategic planning.
Within the Department of Education, Irish-medium and Intregrated Education Branch is the sponsoring Branch for the Comhairle and is the primary point of contact for the Comhairle itself within the Department of Education.
The Comhairle na Gaelscolaíochta’s company registration number is: NI 39115.
[Charitable status number – XR 57206]
Companies House
Second Floor
The Linenhall
32-38 Linenhall Street
Belfast BT2 8BG
T. 0303 1234 500
Web: www.companies-house.gov.uk
Email:
Description: General information about the Comhairle.
Availability: Post / Website (http://www.comhairle.org)
Class 2. Who we are
The Comhairle has 22 voluntary directors nominated by the following organisations who have an interest in Irish-medium education.
Nominating Authority Number of Directors
Department of Education 2
Comhairle na Gaelscolaíochta 3
Principals / Teachers / Parents 7
Gaeloiliúint 1
Altram 1
Education and Library Boards 1
Council for Catholic Maintained Schools 1
Pobal 1
Comhairle Oideachais Um Gsa & Gaeltachta 1
Gealeagras um Shainriachtais Oideachais 1
Foras na Gaeilge 1
NISC-UCET 1
ANIC 1
Description: Membership of the Board.
Availability: Post / Website: (http://www.comhairle.org)
The chairperson and vice-chairperson are Caoimhín Ó Peatáin and VC to be selected. The Board meets every two months and are generally held on the first Thursday of the month. Meetings are open to Board members and members of the Comhairle staff.
The Board has set up three main sub-committees to carry out its duties which are: the Development sub-committee; the Education sub-committee and finally, the finance and personnel sub-committee.
Description: Membership of the sub-committees.
Availability: Post / Website: (http://www.comhairle.org)
There is a sectoral panel that meets regularly to oversee the development of Irish-medium education called the Irish-medium Education Panel which consists of senior officers of the Comhairle; Iontaobhas na Gaelscolaíochta [The Irish-medium Trust]; Altram and the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools.
Description: Membership of Panel for Irish-medium Education.
Availability: Post / Website: (http://www.comhairle.org)
The Comhairle has a staff complement of 14 which includes a Chief executive [Seán Ó Coinn]; a senior development officer [Réamaí Mathers]; a senior post-primary officer [Liam Mac Giolla Mheana]; a senior administration, finance and personnel officer [Pól Ó Mórdha / Paul Moore]; a senior education officer [Pádraig Mac an tSaoir] plus nine other officers.
Description: Chart showing current staff structure
Availability: Post / Website: (http://www.comhairle.org)
The Comhairle has the following mission statement:
To develop a comprehensive network of quality Irish-medium education provision over the next ten years:
1. Which contributes to the development of Irish-speaking families and communities;
2. In a spirit of inclusiveness and partnership with partners in the sector and the community.
“
Within its Corporate Plan 2005_2008. It lists the following seven strategic aims:
1. To maintain and strengthen a coherent and strategic approach to the development of the Irish-medium sector.
2. To support the role of Irish-medium Education in the context of developing Irish-speaking families and communities.
3. To seek to maximise resources, at support and infrastructure levels, to meet the requirements of IME, both independently and in partnership with other organisations.
4. To increase and coordinate resources to support classroom delivery.
5. To develop and secure project-based partnerships to enhance IM provision.
6. To act as an effective advocate and present a strong, coherent and agreed voice and profile for the IM sector.
7. To ensure that Comhairle na Gaelscolaíochta is adequately resourced to meet the demands of the IM sector.
The Comhairle endeavours to create a partnership-base with both statutory and non-statutory bodies in furtherance of the above aims. These include:
The Department of Education;
The Education and Library Boards (of which there are five);
The Council for Catholic Maintained Schools;
The Northern Ireland Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment;
Teacher-training Institutions;
The Irish-medium schools;
Altram
An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta
Foras na Gaeilge
Forbairt Naíonraí Teoranta
Gaeloiliúint
Gaelscoileanna
Iontaobhas na Gaelscolaíochta
Description: The Council’s current corporate plan concerning business objectives and vision for the future.
Availability: Post / Website: (http://www.comhairle.org)
Class 3. Financial and Funding Information
The Comhairle is funded each year by the Department of Education based upon an agreed operational / business plan for the year and the grant is then administered by the Irish-medium and Integrated Education Branch.
The Comhairle may seek additional funding from other sources. In the past they have included Foras na Gaeilge, Iontaobhas na Gaelscolaíochta, the Big Lottery fund and SEUPB.
Description: Information concerning the Council’s annual budget as approved by the Department of Education.
Availability: Post.
Description: Financial memorandum containing information about operational policies and practices which enable the Council to fulfil its objectives and legislative requirements in the finance areas.
Availability: Post.
Class 4. Corporate Information
The Comhairle is a registered company and produces a set of published accounts that are registered at the Companies’ registry in Belfast. After the annual general meeting an annual report and accounts are published. The report gives details of the Comhairle performance against key targets and a review of the year’s activities.
Description: The Council’s annual report and accounts.
Availability: Post / Website: (http://www.comhairle.org)
Description: Minutes and agendas of Council meetings. (This class may contain exempt information; where this occurs the material will clearly show where the information has been withheld)
Availability: Post.
Class 5. Aims, Targets and Achievements
Description: The departmental guidance documents to ensure compliance to management control systems.
Availability: Post.
Description: The risk management function and procedures.
Availability: Post.
Description: The Charter standards pursued by the Council. The Council has achieved the award of investors in people.
Availability: Post.
Class 6. Our Services
Description: This section contains publications produced in-house to assist the Irish-medium sector. Booklets containing advice on:
Setting up an Irish-medium preschool.
Setting up an Irish-medium primary school.
Undertaking school recruitment.
Employment matters.
Availability: Post / Website: (http://www.comhairle.org)
Description: An annual document on the state of the sector as regards numbers of preschools; primary schools; post-primary with additional and associated details about the various schools.
Availability: Post / Website: (http://www.comhairle.org)
Description: The details of conferences and seminars organised by the Council.
Availability: Post / Website: (http://www.comhairle.org)
Class 7. Reports and Independent Enquiries
Description: Documents and reports relating to major policy issues within Irish-medium education. Irish-medium preschool policy.
Availability: Post / Website: (http://www.comhairle.org)
Class 8. Policies and Procedures
Description: General policies and procedures in use within the organisation.