Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 24 Jan 1995

Vol. 447 No. 11

Written Answers. - Facilities for School in Dublin 15.

Liam Lawlor

Question:

151 Mr. Lawlor asked the Minister for Education, in view of information on a community school (details supplied) in Dublin 15, if she will provide a school attendance officer for the area, upgrade the security at the school and provide a programme of emergency funding to meet the special requirements of the school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1030/95]

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

Responsibility for the implementation of the provisions of the School Attendance Act rests with the gardaí and is therefore a matter for the Minister for Justice. The Minister of State at the Departments of Education, Health and Justice has been given special responsibility for truancy and a task force has been set up to co-ordinate action in this area, including the enactment of legislation, if necessary.

Following receipt of a request from the school my Department approved of the provision of static guard security at the school during school hours on a temporary basis. More recently, officials met with the secretary of the board of management who expressed satisfaction with the new security arrangements. Because of its location in a disadvantaged area, the school in question has been allocated two additional teacher posts in addition to its normal teacher allocation. In September, 1994 my Department invited this school to participate in the home school liaison scheme 1994-95, and for this purpose additional teacher resources were also sanctioned. The 1995 budget for this school is being formulated at present and its allocation will be finalised having regard to the special needs of the school and the amount of available resources.