Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 November 2021
349. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education the reason the education welfare officer formerly based at a school (details supplied) has been transferred to a new post in Portlaoise, County Laois; if she will seek to address concerns that the removal of this service is having a detrimental impact on students and young persons; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58938/21]
View answerMy Department understands that the educational welfare officer in this area was not based solely in the school referred to by the Deputy.
The educational welfare officer was based in the Tusla local office and provided services to a number of schools in the area. The staff member has transferred to a different post within the service and recruitment of a educational welfare officer for the area is underway.
In the interim, pending the filling of this vacancy, if a school has a concern regarding any referral made to Tusla Education Support Service, they can contact the Senior Educational Welfare Officer for the area.
