School Absenteeism.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 27 October 2004

Wednesday, 27 October 2004

Ceisteanna (56)

Ciarán Cuffe

Ceist:

158 Mr. Cuffe asked the Minister for Education and Science if it is planned to substantially increase funding to the National Education Welfare Board in view of the fact that pupils in disadvantaged areas of cities here miss school for an average of one month every year and that the NEWB’s own research shows that one in seven children leave primary school with reading and writing difficulties. [26056/04]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Science (Ms Hanafin)

My Department is aware of the preliminary findings of the recent research conducted by the National Education Welfare Board into levels of school attendance for the school year 2003-04. These findings will be considered by my Department in the context of future planning and investment.