Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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430. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the legal cost incurred by the National Educational Welfare Board in the most recent available time period to enforce the statutory school attendance requirement under the Education (Welfare) Act 2000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18578/15]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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The Child and Family Agency, established in 2014 under the aegis of my Department, has statutory responsibility in relation to school attendance and supports for young people at risk of educational disadvantage. Through its Educational Welfare Service, the Agency responds to instances where children are not attending school regularly, leading to concerns for their educational welfare. These responsibilities were carried out by the then National Educational Welfare Board prior to the establishment of the Agency.

The Agency has advised that in 2013, the most recent period for which the information is available, legal fees of €222,191 were incurred in relation to the statutory school attendance requirement under the Education (Welfare) Act 2000.