Gerard Murphy (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 130: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of education welfare officers working in each county in the State; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7906/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Since its formal launch in December 2003, the aim of the National Educational Welfare Board has been to provide a service to the most disadvantaged areas and most at risk groups. A total of five regional teams have been established with bases in Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Galway and Waterford. Staff have been deployed in areas of greatest disadvantage and in areas designated under the Government's RAPID programme. Educational welfare officers have been appointed in 13 towns with significant school going populations, 12 of which are designated under the Government's RAPID programme. In addition, the board will follow up on urgent cases nationally where children are not currently receiving an education.

In response to a request from the board, my Department approved the recruitment of an additional ten staff in November 2004 to meet identified needs. Decisions relating to the assignment of the additional staff to specific areas are a matter for the board which is an independent statutory agency. My Department has asked the board to convey details directly to the Deputy of the number of educational welfare officers in each county.