Skip to main content
Normal View

Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 8 Jun 2000

Vol. 520 No. 5

Written Answers. - School Absenteeism.

Trevor Sargent

Question:

80 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will address the concerns expressed by parents and boards of management that the clause in the new Education and (Welfare) Bill, 1999, requiring principals to pass on names of all children absent from school for 15 days or more is overly restrictive particularly as principals would almost always know if pupils had good reason to be absent such as sickness or holiday. [14058/00]

My concern to protect the educational welfare of children provides the basis for the measures referred to by the Deputy. In situations where children are frequently missing school, for whatever reason, it is clear that there may be a danger to their educational welfare. The Education (Welfare) Bill, therefore, contains a mechanism to ensure that principals will report the fact that a child has missed the prescribed number of school days to the local educational welfare officer. The educational welfare officer will then assess the reasons why the child has missed school, and consider whether the educational welfare of the child may be at risk. In situations where there is no danger, for example, where a child is absent due to a once-off illness, no further action may be necessary. However, in other situations, this mechanism will act as an early warning indicator, to allow both the school and the National Educational Welfare Board to intervene to assist and support the child to protect that child's right to education.

In relation to the specific number of days chosen, 15, I have listened carefully to the views put forward, both on the recent Committee Stage debate on the Bill and, indeed, more generally from concerned groups. I do not wish to create a situation where principals are obliged to report on children's absence from school in situations which pose no threat to their education. I am, therefore, considering amending this area of the Bill on Report Stage to provide for an increased number of school days that may be missed by a child before a principal is obliged to notify this fact to the local educational welfare officer. The Bill will continue to include a further provision which will allow principals to notify the educational welfare officer of the situation of any child where the principal has concerns as to that child's educational welfare, regardless of the number of days missed. This will create a more balanced and flexible approach to identifying children whose education is at risk. I will bring forward specific proposals in this regard at Report Stage.

Top
Share