Vol. 488 No. 4
321 Mr. Currie asked the Minister for Education and Science whether his announcement of pilot projects on truancy means that the objective of establishing a State wide education welfare service has been abandoned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6455/98]
The eight to 15 year old early school leavers initiative which I launched recently is concerned with identifying models of good practice which serve to support a range of children from those who are at risk of early school leaving to those who are outside the formal school system. Suitable projects for funding will be identified by inviting applications for supports from consortia of youth and community organisations in area based partnerships working in collaboration with schools, where such schools are (a) designated as serving areas of disadvantage or (b) are located in areas which are designated as disadvantaged under the Operational Programme for Local Urban and Rural Development 1994-99.
As regards school attendance issues generally, my Department is currently engaged in the preparation of draft legislation to deal with the complex issues involved in non-school attendance. My objective is to bring heads of proposed legislation to Government in the autumn. I hope to be in a position to publish draft legislation before the end of the year.
