Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will provide the details of any work practices negotiated under the terms of the Croke Park Agreement with welfare officers through their union; the date on which such changes were implemented; the savings that resulted from any changes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43632/12]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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The National Educational Welfare Board (NEWB), which operates under the auspices of my Department, has a statutory remit to ensure that ‘each child attends a recognised school or otherwise receives a certain minimum education’. The Education Welfare Service, and its network of Education Welfare Officers (EWOs), is a key resource for the Board in delivering on this statutory remit.

The Board’s remit was extended by Government in 2009 to include strategic and operational responsibility for the School Completion Programme and the Home School Community Liaison Scheme. Under this extended remit the Board was tasked with developing a single strategic approach to attendance, participation and retention in the education system. In working to deliver this integrated approach to school support services the Board is committed to the principle of “One Child, One Team, One Plan”. This integration process is a core element of the NEWB work practice reforms being negotiated under the Croke Park Implementation Plan.

I am advised by the Board that the integration project itself involves a large scale change management process, a formalised structured project management approach and the development of a model of integrated work practice for all of the services, including the Education Welfare Service. The project is been progressed towards implementation in consultation with all relevant stakeholders including staff-side representatives.

I am further advised by the Board that as a new model of integrated working is rolled out over 2012/2013, it will lead to operational efficiencies and it will take a significant step forward in realising the Board's goal for an integrated delivery of service to support improved educational outcomes for children.