Fines are not the answer

BEFORE the Government moves to impose fines and jail sentences on parents of truant children it should put its own house in order.

To date, only 62 educational welfare officers out of 300 approved by the Department of Education have been appointed

As the Parents’ Council rightly points out, the swingeing plan to fine parents amid a shortage of truant officers shows a distinct lack of “joined-up thinking” from the Government.