Sir, – A Kehoe’s letter of October 25th states that parents who are not computer literate or who do not have online access are being discriminated against by Minister for Education Ruairí Quinn’s decision to hold an online-only survey of parents in relation to the future patronage of schools in five initial pilot areas of Arklow, Castlebar, Tramore, Trim and Whitehall (including Kilmore West and Beaumont).
I am happy to confirm for your correspondent and others that while all parents of primary school and pre-school children in the five areas are being encouraged to complete the survey online (at www.education.ie), for those parents who have any difficulty in doing so a paper-based version of the survey form is also available. This can be obtained by calling the freephone number 1800-303621.
The personal details sought as part of survey responses, including PPS numbers, are for the purpose of ensuring that valid responses only are taken into account in analysing parental preferences in an area. These personal details will not be used for any other purpose. A data protection code is in place to ensure that the confidentiality and data protection rights of all those who respond are fully respected.
The surveys are aimed at establishing the level of parental demand for a wider choice of school patronage in each of these areas. We are anxious to obtain the views of as many parents as possible for that purpose. Any changes that are ultimately proposed will of course need to involve the partnership and support of the patrons and school communities directly concerned. – Yours, etc,