Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

316. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to Parliamentary Questions No. 490 of 11 March 2014 and 966 and 967 of 25 March 2014, if he will provide education welfare officers for the Dublin 3, 5 and 17 areas; and if he will provide an update on whether the designated officer for the Dublin 13 returned to their post in April 2014. [31824/14]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As the Deputy will be aware the functions and operational responsibilities of the former National Educational Welfare Board (NEWB) are now part of the Child and Family Agency, which was established on 1st January 2014. Since this date the staff of the former NEWB, including its Education Welfare Officers (EWOs), have transferred to the new Agency. Within the Agency, the statutory Education Welfare Service has specific responsibility for the Agency’s general function to ensure that each child attends a recognised school or otherwise receives a certain minimum education. The appointment of EWOs is a function of the Child and Family Agency.

I have been advised that the EWO positions in respect of the service for Dublin 3, 5 and 17 have not been filled on account of the moratorium on public service recruitment. I have also been advised that arrangements are in place so that schools in these areas continue to have access to support from the Education Welfare Service and that currently this support is being provided, to the extent possible, by the Senior EWO for the area. The Agency has advised me that it has become necessary to prioritise those cases where students are out of school, expelled or have special education needs in complex situations.

I understand from the Agency, that the EWO covering the Dublin 13 area returned to post in April 2014.

The Agency has advised me that a reorganisation of Educational Welfare Services within available resources in the greater Dublin area is being undertaken at present with a view to providing an improved service in a number of areas, including Dublin 3, 5 and 17. Vacancies that arise in staffing in the front line services for children and young people at risk of early school leaving are kept under review and will be prioritised by the Agency, in consultation with my Department, in so far as possible working within Government policy on public service numbers and the moratorium on recruitment.