Liam Fitzgerald (Fianna Fail)

There was widespread surprise at the announcement on "Morning Ireland" by the general secretary of IMPACT that there is a dispute between education welfare officers in Dublin and the Education Welfare Board. To the best of my knowledge, this morning's announcement is the first indication of the dispute. Those who have been directed and given guidance and who are, therefore, empowered and obliged to attend for work are sitting in their offices. While a transition period can be painful, in this instance from the position of attendance officer to education welfare officer, I call on the education welfare officers to return to full duty in Dublin – they are on full duty elsewhere in the country – pending the outcome of negotiations and in the interests of children who are most at risk.