<p>
	More than 13,000 children were suspended by post-primary schools, and 145 were expelled during the academic year 2013-14, the Minister for Children has revealed.</p>
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	And in 2014, a total of &euro;280,000 was spent on 66 appeals processes in respect of decisions to expel or suspend pupils. These costs cover mediation fees, facilitators&#39; fees, and travel costs</p>
<p>
	The most recent data was provided by Katherine Zappone this week in response to a parliamentary question in the D&aacute;il.</p>
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	She revealed that 13,316 pupils were suspended for serious misbehaviour during the relevant period, and a further 145 were permanently expelled.</p>
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	Schools have considerable autonomy in relation to discipline under current legislation. However, they are obliged to ensure that fair procedures are followed.</p>
<p>
	Pupils may be suspended in cases of serious misbehaviour. In such cases, parents are notified and may appeal the decision to the school&#39;s board of management and ultimately, to the Department of Education.</p>
<p>
	In cases where a school is considering the expulsion of a pupil, an education welfare officer must be notified and attempts must be made to find a solution.</p>
<p>
	The pupil may not be expelled for 20 days after the notification of an education welfare officer in order to allow time for the process to be exhausted.</p>
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	&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	(Published by the Irish Independent on the 24th February 2017)</p>
<p>
	<a href="http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/education/over-13000-children-suspended-in-a-year-35478178.html">http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/education/over-13000-children-suspended-in-a-year-35478178.html</a></p>
