Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 31 Mar 1992

Vol. 417 No. 9

Written Answers. - Social Welfare Officer Appointments.

Brian O'Shea

Question:

49 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Education if he will consider the appointment of a suitably qualified school welfare officer in each vocational education committee area so that children and families requiring assistance can be identified at an early stage and that such a school welfare officer would co-ordinate the statutory and voluntary support services so that such pupils would be given every support in attaining their full potential in a family as well as in a school context.

Minister for Education (Mr. S. Brennan)

The appointment of welfare staff generally is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Health.

In so far as education is concerned, the Government are very much aware of the needs of the disadvantaged in our society and special provision has been made for them over the past number of years.

My Department have allocated 225 additional teaching posts in primary schools in disadvantaged areas and a special supplementary capitation grant is also payable to these schools.

In the post primary sector additional teachers have been allocated to schools designated as disadvantaged. One of the purposes of these additional appointments was to provide for home/school liaison. A total 120 such posts was allocated to schools over the past two years.

In addition a specific home/ school/community liaison programme is in place in 93 schools, including primary and post primary schools, in disadvantaged areas. Under the programme teacher/co-ordinators are assigned to home/school/community liaison activities in each school. The objectives of the programme include the promotion of active co-operation between home, school and relevant community agencies in advancing the educational interests of the children and the raising of parents' awareness of their own capacities to enhance their children's education.