Vol. 530 No. 3
264 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Science if, in respect of the full implementation of the Education Welfare Act, 1999, he will indicate the additional staffing requirement in 2001; the financial assistance available for school authorities who will require to have legal representation in cases contested by parents with their own legal representation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3526/01]
The Education (Welfare) Act, 2000, 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 on a regular basis or otherwise receives an adequate level of education.
As an initial 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 the board under the Act. As part of its work, the board will advise on all operational aspects, including legal implications, as well as on the resources, including the staffing resources, required to implement the provisions of the Act.
