Olwyn Enright
Question:249 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of staff which will be appointed to the National Education Welfare Board; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24490/02]
Written Answers. - National Education Welfare Board.
The board is currently recruiting its head office staff, including a number of senior management people, ten posts in all. The board has already appointed an interim chief executive.
In addition, the former school attendance officers, and related senior grades, 36 staff in all, have transferred from the relevant local authorities to the board, in accordance with the provisions of the Act.
The educational welfare service is a major new national service. As announced at the time the board was appointed last year, the service will be phased in over a period. As this is a major new service, with a new approach and new systems, it is not possible to be specific at this stage in regard to the time frame that the provision of the full service will entail or what the total staffing level will be.
Olwyn Enright
Question:250 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science the responsibilities of the staff appointed to the National Education Welfare Board; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24491/02]
The board is an independent statutory body, established under the Education (Welfare) Act, 2000. As such the duties and responsibilities assigned to its staff members, or groups of staff, from time to time and/or on an ongoing basis are matters for the board.
I have asked the board to forward the information sought by the Deputy to her as soon as possible.