The National Educational Welfare Board is now the single national body with responsibility for school attendance matters. It is an independent statutory body, established under the Education (Welfare) Act 2000, to implement the provisions of the Act. The board has responsibility for ensuring that each child attends a recognised school or otherwise receives a certain minimum education. The board is required to assist parents who are experiencing difficulty in ensuring that their children attend school regularly, and will also assist schools in fulfilling their role under the Act. Through the appointment of educational welfare officers the board will provide a welfare focused service that is accessible to parents, school and others concerned with the welfare of young people.