Vol. 549 No. 1
229 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of education welfare officers who have been appointed under the Education (Welfare) Act, 2000; the locations to which they will be appointed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6046/02]
The first task of the National Educational Welfare Board was to develop proposals for the appointment of a chief executive. Proposals were developed and approved by me. An open public competition has been held and the appointment of a chief executive is expected very shortly.
Following from the appointment of a chief executive, arrangements for other appointments, including appointments as educational welfare officers, will then proceed. The existing school attendance officers will also transfer to the new service. Negotiations are under way in relation to the transfer arrangements.
The new 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 main elements of the consultancy work are now very advanced and are under detailed consideration by the board.
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.
