Seán Ryan
Question:57 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Education and Science the reasons for the delay in implementing the Education (Welfare) Act, 2000; and his plans in this regard. [2782/02]
Written Answers. - Legislative Programme.
There has been no delay in relation to this matter.
On 29 May 2001 I announced the establishment of the new National Educational Welfare Board. The board held its first meeting on 15 June 2001. I have established the board on an interim or designate basis at this stage 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 educational welfare service is a major new national service, which requires the design of a new national organisation and structure together with a staffing requirement analysis and the development of suitable proposals in this regard. The board has engaged the services of a management consultancy firm to assist it in these matters. The first task was to develop proposals for the recruitment of a chief executive. Proposals were finalised and approved by me and the recruitment process is now in train. Meanwhile, the main elements of the consultancy work are now very advanced and will be considered by the board in the course of the next week. Negotiations are also under way in relation to the transfer of the existing 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 and the recommendations which they will make to me on the matter. It is my intention and that of the board that the new services will be phased in as speedily as possible.
Proinsias De Rossa
Question:58 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason for his decision to dissolve the board of management of a school (details supplied) in Donegal; if he has satisfied himself that he has fully complied with sections 16 and 17 of the Education Act, 1998 in so doing; if his attention has been drawn to concern among members of the board that they were not notified of his intentions to dissolve the board and afforded the opportunity to make representations to him; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2769/02]
Section 16 of the Education Act, 1998 provides that the patron may, if satisfied that the functions of a board are not being effectively discharged, dissolve that board, subject to the procedures outlined in that section being followed and subject to the consent of the Minister.
While my consent to the patron's request to dissolve the board of the school in question was given in November 2001, it now appears that the procedures outlined in section 16, which should have been followed by the patron, may not have been followed in full. In the circumstances, my officials have written to the patron and requested clarification on the matter.
On receipt of the patron's response, this matter will be further considered within my Department.