Paul Kehoe
Question:145 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of children who have been unable to obtain second level education in Wexford town and county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9140/03]
Vol. 564 No. 2
145 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of children who have been unable to obtain second level education in Wexford town and county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9140/03]
147 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of people who have been expelled from secondary schools in Wexford town and county; if they were able to get another school to continue their education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9142/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 145 and 147 together.
The information sought by the Deputy is not readily available. However, the 2002 NESF report on early school leaving estimated that on a national basis, approximately 1,000 children are in this category.
The Education (Welfare) Act 2000, which came into effect on 5 July 2002, provides for the introduction of a comprehensive school attendance service, with responsibility for school attendance being given to a newly established body – the National Educational Welfare Board. The Act requires schools considering the expulsion of a student to notify the educational welfare officer 20 school days prior to the expulsion. The automatic involvement of the educational welfare officer in these situations will provide a key means for the early identification and support of children at risk of dropping out of school. An educational welfare officer will be assigned to every school for the purposes of the Act.