Vol. 558 No. 3
127 Ms O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Science if former school attendance officers in Dublin, Cork and Waterford are now working as education welfare officers under the auspices of the education welfare board; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24199/02]
The former school attendance officers are now staff of the National Education Welfare Board, in accordance with the provisions of the Education (Welfare) Act, 2000. The duties, which these officers are assigned, are a matter for the board. Negotiations are ongoing with the union concerned as to the terms and conditions of the officers as education welfare officers under the board.
128 Ms O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Science the funding which has been allocated for the employment of education welfare officers for 2003; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24200/02]
The Abridged Estimates Volume for 2003 represents the first stage of the process of determining specific allocations across the education sector. I am reviewing the position in relation to the allocation for the National Education Welfare Board and I expect to be in a position to announce the final position at the time of publication of the 2003 Revised Estimates Volume.
129 Ms O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Science when he expects education welfare officers to be in place outside of the areas in Dublin, Cork and Waterford where school attendance officers have operated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24201/02]
The National Education Welfare Board is now the statutory body with responsibility in relation to school attendance and related matters.
