Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 13 Oct 1998

Vol. 495 No. 1

Written Answers. - Proposed Legislation.

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

414 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science the new areas being encompassed by the proposed school attendance Bill which were not encompassed in the heads of the Bill prepared by the previous Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19535/98]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin)

The new school attendance legislation is addressed, not only the problems attached to school attendance, but also issues relating to the educational welfare of children in general. It will emphasise the importance of both identifying cases where a child is experiencing difficulties in school attendance and intervening at an early stage to address the problem.

The legislation will provide a statutory underpinning for addressing the factors behind educational disadvantage and promoting equality of opportunity in education. In dealing with these issues, provision will be made for drawing upon the experience and knowledge of experts in the field of education and welfare of children. The legislation will encourage the attendance of, and active participation by, children in school and seek to promote stronger and closer ties between the partners in education and the various State agencies responsible for developing programmes to deal with children and families affected by problems relating to school attendance.