Neasa Hourigan (Dublin Central, Green Party)
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275. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her plans to increase the number of education welfare officers particularly in the north-east inner city of Dublin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21936/22]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The aims and objectives of the statutory educational welfare service are to ensure that every child either attends school regularly or otherwise receives a minimum education; to ensure and secure every child’s entitlement to education. This service is delivered by Educational Welfare Officers who work with families and children in a child-centred way to overcome barriers to their school attendance, participation and retention; and work closely with schools, educational support services and other agencies to support school attendance and resolve attendance problems for the benefit of children and families.

There are a range of supports available to schools in Dublin’s North East Inner City area. My Department supports schools in the North East Inner City of Dublin to improve educational outcomes of the pupil cohort. My Department is represented on the Programme Implementation Board for the NEIC and has allocated a dedicated NEIC Education Initiatives Manager to work with schools and key stakeholders in the area. My Department has been involved in the establishment of the Principals’ Network for schools in the NEIC area and is involved in the P-Tech and City Connects pilot initiatives.

Recruitment is currently underway for an additional EWO post for the Dublin City team. This EWO will provide services in the NEIC Dublin area.