Ciarán Cuffe (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party)
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Question 635: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of available positions on the National Educational Welfare Board which have been filled; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24058/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The Education (Welfare) Act 2000 established the National Educational Welfare Board as the single national body with responsibility for school attendance. The Act provides a comprehensive framework promoting regular school attendance and tackling the problems of absenteeism and early school leaving. The general functions of the board are to ensure that each child attends a recognised school or otherwise receives a certain minimum education.

The terms of the Education (Welfare) Act 2000 state that the board is comprised of a chairperson and 12 ordinary members, of whom one is the chief executive officer of the NEWB. Five ordinary members are appointed by the Minister after consultation with national associations of parents, school management organisations, the educational welfare officers, the voluntary sector and trade unions and staff associations representing teachers. The remaining six ordinary members are also appointed by the Minister following consultation with the Ministers for Health and Children, Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Social and Family Affairs, Enterprise, Trade and Employment and Arts, Sport and Tourism, and from among persons who in the opinion of the Minister have a special interest and expertise in matters relating to the functions of the Board. There are currently no vacancies on the National Educational Welfare Board.