Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)

——Minister will take. The Rochford report was considered in great detail by the Department of Education and Science. The officers of the Department examined the report and advised the then Minister, the predecessor to Deputy Hanafin, on the merits and demerits of that report. A view was taken in the Department about how the Act should be implemented. I think my reply makes it clear that an amount of progress has been made in implementing this legislation. It is very encouraging to see that welfare officers are making a difference on the ground.

I agree with Deputy Gogarty that important statutory responsibilities are cast on this board as well as important statutory functions such as the power to institute prosecutions where parents fail and are derelict in their duty of ensuring their child attends school. This is a fundamental matter. I note the old school attendance service with a far smaller complement of staff had far more prosecutions before the courts than this board has so far secured. This is not to say the board has not instituted some prosecutions but I make that point that a Department has a duty in legislation of this type to see to it that the work is progressed. The legal responsibilities to which the Deputy refers make reference to the power of the board to institute prosecutions and to exact certain information from the principals of the different schools, both primary and secondary. As school principals have no doubt advised Members on all sides of the House, the board has been assiduous in obtaining that information and in insisting that it be forwarded. This has given the board the first comprehensive data on this subject which is to be welcomed. On foot of this legislation, there is a much clearer picture of the position than ever before. There is a strategy in place, the legislation has been implemented and it forms a basis for progress in this area. I wish to disabuse the Deputy of the idea that the Rochford report was in some way accepted by the Government because it never was. The Government accepts an obligation under the Act and the National Educational Welfare Board has obligations which it is meeting. The Government will continue to support the board. Any fair examination of the provision that has been made and the number of staff now involved which is currently 94, will show a substantial commitment by the Government to the operation of this board.

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