Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 70: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the average caseload of each education welfare officer; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7905/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The National Educational Welfare Board has indicated to my Department that the average caseload of each educational welfare officer as at end January 2005 was 168 based on a staff complement of 63. In November last, my Department conveyed approval to the NEWB for the recruitment of a further ten educational welfare officers. These additional posts will enable the board to further roll out its services at local level around the country.

The budget which has been allocated to the National Educational Welfare Board for 2005 is €7.8 million, an increase of €1.3 million or 20% on the 2004 allocation. The percentage increase allocated to the board for 2005 is more than double that for the education vote as a whole and this provision will enable the board to continue to develop its services in 2005.