Desmond J. O'Malley
Question:50 Mr. O'Malley asked the Minister for Education when the Truancy Task Force will complete its deliberations; if the report will be made public; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12680/96]
Written Answers. - Truancy Task Force Report.
The school attendance-truancy report was published in April 1994.
Early in 1995 the Minister of State at my Department, Deputy Currie, established a truancy task force with the following terms of reference: to examine the submissions received from interested parties in response to the truancy report; and to consider and make recommendations as to future action required to address the problems of truancy at first and second level.
The work of the truancy task force is nearing completion. When the report is available, I, with the Minister of State, will consider its recommendations and the further action which will have to be taken, including the publication of new school attendance legislation. While the task force will not publish a separate report, its work will be reflected in the new legislation.