Vol. 571 No. 1
619 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science his views on whether his Department should have a central record of children's attendance in national schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20707/03]
The Education (Welfare) Act 2000 outlines the duties and responsibilities of parents and schools in relation to school attendance. The National Educational Welfare Board was formed to ensure that every child either attends school regularly or otherwise receives an education. Under the Act, children aged 6 to 16 years of age must either be on a school register or registered with the board as otherwise receiving an education. A child's name can only be removed from a school register when the pupil is either enrolled in another school or registered with the board. This provision will ensure that all children are receiving an education. There are very specific reporting requirements concerning school attendance under the legislation. When a child is absent from school for 20 days or more or where the school is concerned about a child's attendance, the school is required to make a report to the educational welfare officer, EWO, who will follow up and liaise with the family of the child, the school and other agencies as appropriate. Where all efforts to improve attendance fail and the EWO is of the view that the parent is being negligent in carrying out his/her duties in relation to the child's education, the board will consider taking legal action.
Schools are required to submit a school attendance report to the local EWO at the end of the school year. This will provide the basis for the compilation of comprehensive data on the levels of school attendance nationally and for analysis of trends and issues in relation to school attendance generally. The first standardised attendance reports will be received by the board at the end of the current school year 2003-04.
