Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 March 2015
537. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of staff members employed in the National Educational Welfare Board for each of the past five years; the number of staff on sick leave or maternity leave; and if those staff members have been replaced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11761/15]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware the functions and operational responsibilities of the former National Educational Welfare Board (NEWB) are now part of the Child and Family Agency, which was established on 1st January 2014. Since this date the staff of the former NEWB, including its Educational Welfare Officers, have transferred to the new Agency. The three service strands formerly under the remit of NEWB – the statutory Educational Welfare Service, the School Completion Programme and the operation of the Home-School Community Liaison Scheme under the Department of Education and Skills' DEIS Action Plan for Educational Inclusion – collectively form the Educational Welfare Services of the new Agency. Within the Agency, the statutory Education Welfare Service has specific responsibility for the Agency's general function to ensure that each child attends a recognised school or otherwise receives a certain minimum education. The appointment of Educational Welfare Officers is a function of the Child and Family Agency.
The information sought by the Deputy has been requested from the Child and Family Agency and I will respond directly to the Deputy when the information is received.
