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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 7 Nov 2000

Vol. 525 No. 2

Written Answers. - Educational Welfare Service.

Richard Bruton

Question:

890 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress made to date in establishing the education welfare board; the number of new education welfare officers who will be employed; and if he will indicate specifically in relation to Dublin's northside the local network that will be in place for community organisations or schools to seek assistance for young people in difficulty. [24278/00]

The Education (Welfare) Act provides for the establishment of a national educational welfare board and a nationwide educational welfare service with a view to ensuring that each child attends a recognised school or otherwise receives an adequate level of education.

As a first step in the implementation of the Act, I am establishing a designate board on a non-statutory basis for an interim period, to draw up detailed plans for implementing the various functions to be assigned to it under the Act. Following this interim period, the board will be put on a statutory footing and the various provisions of the Act will be commenced as appropriate. It is envisaged that membership of the designate board would, as far as possible, mirror that of the final board. My Department has requested nominations to the board from the education partners and relevant Government Departments. I will be in a position to establish the designate board once all of these have been received.

The number of educational welfare officers required for the implementation of the Act will be determined as part of the preparations for the implementation of the Act.

In answer to the Deputy's query regarding the specific arrangements for the northside of Dublin, it is my intention that the new educational welfare service will, ultimately, cover the entire country. The service will be implemented on a phased basis, in line with a plan to be developed by the designate board. The priority in the initial stages will be on areas of disadvantage generally.
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