Vol. 526 No. 3
148 Mr. Spring asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress to date in implementing the Education (Welfare) Act, 1999; the additional resources which he is providing for schools to deal with their additional responsibilities under the Act; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26534/00]
The Education (Welfare) Act was enacted on 5 July 2000. The Act itself provides that all of its provisions must be commenced within two years of enactment.
The Act provides for the raising of the minimum school leaving age from 15 to 16, or the completion of three years of post primary education, whichever is the later. It also provides for the establishment of a national educational welfare board and a nationwide educational welfare service with a view to ensuring that each child attends a recognised school or otherwise receives an adequate level of education.
As a first step in the implementation of the Act, I am establishing a designate board on a non-statutory basis for an interim period, to draw up detailed plans for implementing the various functions to be assigned to it under the Act. Following this interim period, the board will be put on a statutory footing and the various provisions of the Act will be commenced as appropriate. It is envisaged that membership of the designate board would, as far as possible, mirror that of the final board.
My Department has requested nominations to the board from the education partners and relevant Government Departments. I will be in a position to establish the designate board once all of these have been received.
