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.
