Vol. 498 No. 3
174 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Education and Science the proposals, if any, he has to apply the law on compulsory school attendance to primary schools which are not recognised by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27161/98]
175 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Education and Science the proposals, if any, he has to update the law on school attendance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27162/98]
I propose to take Questions No. 174 and 175 together.
The law on school attendance applies, and has always since its enactment applied, to schools which are not recognised primary schools. The Deputy may be aware that a recent High Court judgment has raised serious issues about the applicability of the legislation generally. The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear an appeal by the State against that judgment early in the new year.
Independently of any litigation, I have reviewed the school attendance legislation and the Government has approved proposals for new legislation. A Bill is currently being drafted and I expect that it will be published early in 1999. The Bill will provide for a comprehensive range of measures to address both the incidence and root causes of school attendance problems, including the early identification and support of children at risk of dropping out of the school system.
