Jim Mitchell
Question:198 Mr. J. Mitchell asked the Minister for Education if she is in a position to improve the arrangements for monitoring school attendance in the Dublin area; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - School Attendance.
As the Deputy may be aware, I recently received the report of a departmental working party entitled "School Attendance/Truancy Report", which I subsequently published. The report identifies issues which are complex and of fundamental concern to all those concerned with education and the welfare of children. It also acknowledges the need for legislative and administrative change in relation to monitoring school attendance. I intend using the report as a basis for action and to that end I have invited submissions on the content of the report from all the relevant interests so that I can further develop my proposals on school attendance.
In so far as the present arrangements for dealing with school attendance issues in the Dublin area are concerned, I agreed in April last to the appointment of nine new school attendance officers for those areas served by the school attendance committees, County Borough of Dublin.