Vol. 527 No. 5
243 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Science if the National Educational Welfare Board has yet been established on a non-statutory basis; if not, when it will be established; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29170/00]
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 Departments. As most of the nominations have now been received, I will be in a position to establish the designate board in the near future.
