How it all comes together...

The six divisions

Among a myriad other responsibilities outlined in the Department's Strategy statement the various divisions are responsible for the following:

Primary division manages, monitors and resources the overall primary education system - 3,200 schools, 21,000 teachers and 600 substitute teachers

Second-level division advises, develops and reviews policy in relation to second-level education; allocates funding and teaching resources to some 760 schools and 21,000 full-time teachers.

Third-level, vocational education and training, and European/international division advises, develops and reviews policy for further and higher education; promotes access and progression opportunities for students. A Qualifications (Education and Training ) Bill 1999 was recently published.

Building, youth/adult education and external staff relations division identifies, evaluates and prioritises educational accommodation and equipment needs. A Green Paper on adult education was produced in November 1998

The inspectorate (including the psychological services division) develops and implements systems for the evaluation of the quality and effectiveness of the education provided in primary and second-level schools. The pilot project on Whole School Evaluation is almost completed.

Central Services division provides an accounting framework and financial /management/control system for the Department. It also produces an annual statistical report.

A number of agencies also operate under the Department's aegis:

The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment

The National Council for Vocational Awards

The National Council for Educational Awards

The Higher Education Authority

TEASTAS - the National Certification Authority

The People

Administrative staff

Secretary general - John Dennehy

Five assistant secretary generals: Peter Baldwin, primary; Pat Burke, post-primary; Paddy McDonagh, third-level; Jack O'Brien, planning and building; Denis Healy, central services

Director of strategic policy: Deirdre O'Keeffe.

25 principals

40 assistant principals

Three administrative officers

103.5 higher executive officers

180 executive officers

52.5 staff officers

260.5 clerical officers

Six Minister's staff

One chief inspector - Eamonn Stack

72 primary inspectors

60 second-level inspectors

34.5 psychologists

29.5 planning and building professional/technical staff

10.5 editorial staff, An Gum

53 service grades

One Teastas

Four NCCA

In all, 943 people are employed by the Department

Source: Department of Education and Science

Complaints

The Ombudsman's report for 1998 shows a total of 143 complaints pertaining to the Department. This compares to 123 revenue-related, 198 agriculture and food and 786 social, community and family affairs. Some 52 of the complaints against the Department of Education were upheld.

Timeline

1831 - National Board of Education set up by the Government. It consisted of seven commissioners and had representatives of the main religious denominations. £30,000 funding was provided. It set about establishing a a national school system.

1855 - Tyrone House, Marlborough Street, Dublin, was bought by the board as its headquarters.

1878 - The Intermediate Education Act introduced a common curriculum and exam system for secondary schools.

1892 - Compulsory for children between ages six and 14 to attend school for 150 days a year.

1924 - The Department of Education was set up under the Ministers and Secretaries Act, taking over the functions of the Commissioners of National Education and the Intermediate Education Board.