Gay Mitchell (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 29: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if she will amend the Education Welfare Act 2000 in order that children under the age of six, if in full-time education, will be included under the terms of the legislation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27549/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

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.

Under the Act, parents are required to ensure that children aged between six and 16 attend school regularly. This legal obligation does not extend to children under six years of age. However, schools are required to record and monitor absences for all students regardless of age. In addition, schools must report concerns about the educational welfare of individual students, including those aged under six, to the educational welfare officer who will then work with the family, the school and other services where appropriate to improve attendance.

My Department has no proposals to amend the legislation in relation to children under six years of age.