Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Green Party)

The Minister of State stated that the National Educational Welfare Board is but one aspect of a comprehensive number of measures which the Fianna Fáil-Progressive Democrats Government is taking to tackle issues of educational disadvantage and school attendance. The Minister of State will be aware that the National Educational Welfare Board is the only body statutorily charged with dealing with school attendance issues. Prior to the establishment of the board, the independent Rochford report recommended that at least 300 educational welfare officers were required. The current numbers are less than 100 officers — the last figure I have is 79. The Rochford report recommended that an investment of €25 million, which is approximately €28 million in today's figures, would be required. Last year the Government provided €8 million and it is now providing €9.8 million. While this is a 20% increase, will the Minister of State acknowledge this falls far short of the Rochford report recommendations? When will the full complement of statutorily charged officers be rolled out? Will it be in the lifetime of this Government or ten years down the road?

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