Vol. 486 No. 1
881 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will have arrangements made to rescind the 1985 Boundary Order to enable the local authority to provide a school attendance officer for the entire Cherry Orchard community, Dublin 10 in view of the urgent need for this service in this area. [1610/98]
886 Mr. C. Lenihan asked the Minister for Education and Science the plans, if any, he has to legislate in relation to school attendance; and, if so, the time scale envisaged for the production of this legislation. [1615/98]
890 Mr. C. Lenihan asked the Minister for Education and Science the plans, if any, he has to provide a school attendance officer in the Tallaght area, Dublin 24; and if his attention has been drawn to local concerns on this issue. [1619/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 881, 886 and 890 together.
My Department is currently engaged in the preparation of draft legislation to deal with the complex issues involved in non-school attendance. A comprehensive nationwide system for addressing the needs of children with school attendance problems and the needs and responsibilities of their parents is required to replace the School Attendance Act, 1926.
My objective is to bring the heads of proposed legislation to Government in the autumn. I hope to be in a position to publish draft legislation before the end of the year.
The question of the future organisation of the school attendance service will be among the issues addressed in the legislation.
