Vol. 541 No. 4
137 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress made in establishing a fully staffed education welfare service; the number of officers employed within this service; and his views on the adequacy of this provision. [22986/01]
446 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Education and Science the sections of the Education Welfare Act, 2000, currently in place; the timetable for bringing the remaining sections of the Act into operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22716/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 137 and 446 together.
On 29 May 2001, I announced the establishment of the new National Educational Welfare Board. The board, which held its first meeting on 15 June 2001, has been established on an interim or designate basis in order to enable it to carry out the necessary planning and preparation work for phasing in an education welfare service as provided for in the legislation – the Education (Welfare) Act, 2000. The board is moving forward satisfactorily with the planning and preparation work which will, among other matters, involve the recruitment of the relevant staff. Negotiations are also under way in relation to the transfer of the school attendance officers to the board, in accordance with the provisions of the Act. I will be commencing sections of the Act as soon as possible, taking account of the plans being prepared by the board. It is my intention and that of the board that the new services will be phased in as speedily as possible.
