Vol. 568 No. 5
280 Ms O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Science if Limerick city will be included in the recruitment of 36 extra staff to the education welfare board as recently sanctioned (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16762/03]
The Education (Welfare) Act 2000, which is now fully commenced, established the National Educational Welfare Board as the single national agency with responsibility for school attendance. The board is recruiting additional educational welfare officers to provide a national welfare focused service that is accessible to parents, schools and others concerned with the welfare of young people. In developing and expanding this service, which is being introduced on a phased basis, priority is being given to areas that already had a service under the previous legislation as well as to areas of high levels of disadvantage, especially areas covered by the RAPID programme. Decisions relating to the assignment of the 36 extra staff to specific areas are a matter for the board which is an independent statutory body.
