Feargal Quinn (Independent)

My motion refers to the need for the Minister for Education and Science to investigate the reported instruction to schools by the National Educational Welfare Board to do nothing in relation to systems geared to reducing truancy. The Minister should come to the House to explain the reason for this instruction. I welcome the Minister of State to discuss this most important topic.

I am concerned by the lack of urgency the Government seems to attach to this matter. Few people would disagree that educational disadvantage, which we spoke about here last night, is one of the most important of the national problems we must tackle. Few would disagree that while many children enter the educational system already disadvantaged, the scope for them to emerge suffering from even more disadvantage is inextricably linked to school attendance. Whatever the shortcomings of the education we provide, a young person can derive no benefit from it if he or she does not attend school. Very often, non-attendance is the first sign that something is wrong. It may be the first indication that the education system is failing a particular child.