Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)

Is there a deadline for completing the database of students in sixth class? The Minister's predecessor frequently referred to this matter so we are anxious for it to proceed.

From her review of disadvantage, the Minister will be aware that each year 1,000 children fail to make the transition, a figure which has grown in recent years. The Minister spoke about changes. What changes does she intend to make to ensure that the programmes in place are working and that the best programmes are kept? We should consider how programmes that are not working can be changed so that they will work.

The Minister mentioned the National Educational Welfare Board. The board's average caseload of 185 cases per educational welfare officer means it is carrying out a fire brigade action as opposed to being more interactive and noticing the problems in schools that lead to children failing to make the transition and children at second level dropping out. In the upcoming Estimates, will the Minister consider increasing the budget for the National Educational Welfare Board to allow it carry out its full role and not simply deal with children after they have dropped out?

See this speech in context