Ivor Callely
Question:118 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Education and Science the proposals, if any, he has to monitor attendance at school by children under 15 years of age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7584/98]
Written Answers. - School Attendance.
My Department is currently engaged in the preparation of draft legislation to deal with the complex issues involved in non-school attendance. Among the issues being considered in this context is the need for mechanisms which ensure that children's attendance is properly monitored and that early warning systems alert the authorities to any emerging problems. My objective is to bring the heads of the proposed legislation to Government in the autumn. I hope to be in a position to publish draft legislation before the end of the year.
I recently launched an important new initiative aimed specifically at children in the eight to 15 year age group who have dropped out of school or are at risk of dropping out. A sum of £2.96 million will be provided over 1998 and 1999 for this initiative which will focus on structured pilot projects in urban and rural areas of disadvantage. The objective is to test models for the development of an integrated area based co-ordination of services to cater for the young people in question.
I am confident that the outcome of this initiative, coupled with the new legislative provisions which I will be bringing forward, will have a major impact on addressing our current school attendance problems.