Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 23 Mar 1993

Vol. 428 No. 1

Written Answers. - School Attendance Act.

Eamon Gilmore

Question:

505 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Education if she will make a statement on the provision made for persons who leave school below the age for entry into Youthreach programmes; and whether her Department receives reports from schools on a regular basis regarding these young people.

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

The School Attendance Act requires children between the ages of 6 and 15 years to attend school.

The designated authorities for enforcement of the School Attendance Act in certain areas (i.e. County Borough of Dublin, Dún Laoghaire, Cork and Waterford) are the School Attendance Committees, and elsewhere the Garda Síochána.

Since this Department is not the enforcement authority under the School Attendance Act schools are not obliged to make returns to my Department in relation to non-compliance with the Act.

Figures in relation to non-attendance at school are made available by the schools directly to the enforcement authorties.

There are a limited number of places available in four Youth Encounter Projects, two in Dublin, one in Cork and one in Limerick, which provide educational facilities for children who become alienated from the conventional school system, are persistent truants and have become involved in, or are at risk of becoming involved in, minor crime and deliquency.