Michael Lowry (Tipperary North, Independent)
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Question 441: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of educational welfare officers employed by her Department on a county basis; when vacancies will be filled; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18065/05]

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. Five regional teams have been established with bases in Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Galway and Waterford and staff have been deployed in areas of greatest disadvantage and in areas designated under the Government's RAPID programme. Some 13 towns with significant school going populations, 12 of which are designated under the Government's RAPID programme, also now have an educational welfare officer allocated to them. In addition, the board will follow up on urgent cases nationally where children are not receiving an education.

I understand that the board is in the process of filling 13 positions arising from the current recruitment process, including one senior educational welfare officer post and 12 educational welfare officer posts. The intention of the board is to have the positions filled prior to the commencement of the next school year. My Department has asked the board to convey details directly to the Deputy of the number of educational welfare officers in each county.