The measure the Deputy is referring to is contained in the Education (Welfare) Bill, which is currently before this House. This Bill will provide for a new structure for the regulation of school attendance, including, inter alia, the establishment of a national educational welfare board and a nationwide service of educational welfare officers.
The basis for the measures referred to by the Deputy is my concern to protect the educational welfare of the children of the State. In situations where children are frequently missing school, for whatever reason, it is clear that there may be a danger to their educational welfare. The Education (Welfare) Bill, therefore, contains a mechanism to ensure that principals will report the fact that a child has missed the prescribed number of school days to the local educational welfare officer. The educational welfare officer will then assess the reasons as to why the child has missed school and consider whether the educational welfare of the child may be at risk. In situations where there is no such danger, for example, due to a once-off illness, no further action may be necessary. However, in other situations, this mechanism will act as an early warning indicator, to allow both the school and the National Educational Welfare Board to intervene to assist and support the child to protect that child's right to education.
In relation to the specific number of days chosen, 15, I have listened carefully to the views put forward, both at the recent Committee Stage discussion on this Bill and indeed more generally from concerned groups. I am considering this matter further for the Report Stage of the Bill.
