Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 10 Dec 2002

Vol. 559 No. 1

Written Answers. - School Absenteeism.

Seán Crowe

Ceist:

230 Mr. Crowe asked the Minister for Education and Science if the School Attendance Act, 1926, takes into account the needs of those students who might be suffering long-term illnesses such as lung disorders or attention deficit disorder and thus are obliged to regularly miss school; the way in which it takes into account their needs; the practical effects of this for the parents of children; and the practical effects of this for the principals and teachers of the schools attended by such students. [25631/02]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. N. Dempsey)

The School Attendance Act, 1926, was repealed by the Education (Welfare) Act, 2000. This Act is now the relevant legislation in relation to school attendance.

The National Educational Welfare Board has been established as the statutory body to deal with the issues which arise in relation to school attendance, in accordance with the Education (Welfare) Act, 2000. The board has appointed an interim chief executive and is currently recruiting its head office staff, including its senior staff. It is a matter for the board to examine the issues and make decisions, on a case by case basis or generally, on the matters referred to by the Deputy, in accordance with the Act.