State ‘ignoring children at risk’

TEACHERS have accused the Government of ignoring children at risk by delaying the implementation of school attendance laws.

The Education Welfare Act became law in July but no officers have been appointed to fulfil the roles previously carried out by school attendance officers and gardaí. Under the act, schools must report suspensions longer than six days, absences of more than 20 days in a school year and expulsions to an education welfare officer.

The Irish National Teachers Organisation said schools are being left to implement changes on their own while the National Education Welfare Board tries to find the estimated 350 welfare officers needed to operate the service.

“Teachers are expected to comply with a law when there is no infrastructure in place to support it, while our most at risk pupils are being ignored by Government,” said INTO general secretary John Carr.

“It is unacceptable that disadvantaged and other schools have to wait so long for this service.”

Difficulties have arisen in reaching agreement with the 36 attendance officers previously employed by local authorities in Cork, Dublin and Waterford but a further 300 officers will still be needed to run the service properly.

A Department of Education spokesperson said: “The Welfare Board will assist schools as far as possible to meet obligations and priority will be given to setting up services in areas of high disadvantage. Recruitment of officers will take place on a phased basis over the coming months.”