I propose to take Questions Nos. 71 and 85 together.
During summer 2004, the National Educational Welfare Board undertook a survey on the levels of school attendance for the school year 2003-04. This was the first time that data on school attendance at national level had been collected. The findings of the survey support the targeting policy followed by the board to date in appointing educational welfare officers to the areas of greatest disadvantage and will assist it in ensuring that all available resources are utilised to the full.
My Department recently conveyed approval to the board for the filling of a further ten educational welfare officer posts, bringing the authorised staffing for the NEWB from 84 to 94. These additional posts will enable the board to further roll-out its services at local level around the country. The budget which has been allocated to the board for 2005 is €7.8 million, an increase of €1.3 million or 20% on the 2004 allocation. The percentage increase being allocated to the board for 2005 is more than double that for the Education Vote as a whole and this provision will enable the board to continue to develop its services in 2005.