Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 233: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the strength of the National Welfare Educational Board with particular reference to the availability of front line staff adequate to meet requirements in all areas throughout County Kildare; the availability of such staff throughout the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22125/07]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The National Educational Welfare Board is developing a nationwide service on a continuing basis that is accessible to schools, parents/guardians and others concerned with the welfare of young people. For this purpose, Educational Welfare Officers (EWOs) have been deployed throughout the country to provide a welfare-focused service to support regular school attendance and discharge the Board's functions locally.

I am pleased to advise the Deputy that my Department's Estimates for 2007 includes a provision of €9.808 million for the National Educational Welfare Board. This represents an increase of 20% on the 2006 allocation and of 50% on the 2004 level.

This substantial increase in funding is a clear indication of this Government's commitment to prioritise investment in favour of those most at risk. Through increased investment and improved services we are determined to optimise access, participation and educational outcomes at every level of the system for disadvantaged groups.

An additional 15 staff have been allocated to the NEWB in 2007. This brings the current authorised staffing of the Board to 109 posts of which 90 are allocated to working directly in the service delivery area. The staffing complement is comprised of 19 HQ and support staff, 5 regional managers, 13 Senior EWO's and 72 EWO's.

The Board operates through 5 regional teams, with bases in Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Galway and Waterford. A service is provided from 26 locations nationwide. Staff are deployed in areas of greatest disadvantage and in areas designated under the Government's RAPID programme. In addition, the Board follows up on urgent cases nationally where children are not currently receiving an education. Educational Welfare Officers play a pivotal role in implementing the service provided by the NEWB through monitoring school attendance and working to improve it. The EWOs also help parents that are experiencing a difficulty with getting a school place for their child.

In relation to the Deputy's specific question regarding County Kildare, I am informed that this county has been served for the past two years by an Educational Welfare Officer (EWO). With the increase in population being experienced in the county and the large number of schools, County Kildare was prioritised by the NEWB, in the recent increase in staffing allocation, for the appointment of an additional EWO. This will provide two posts for the county. The new post will provide a dedicated service to South Kildare, increasing capacity in that part of the county. The existing position will now serve North Kildare providing capacity there to deliver an increased service to the children experiencing school attendance difficulties in that area.

This Government is determined to do all that is possible to ensure that children get every opportunity and support they need to enable them to achieve their potential and participate fully in education. I will be keeping the issue of the NEWB's staffing under review in light of the roll out of services, the scope for integrated working and any proposals that the Board may put to me in relation to clearly identified priority needs.