06 February 2003
NEWB Surprised At Work Stoppage By Attendance Officers

The National Educational Welfare Board today said that it was seeking immediate clarification from IMPACT about apparent inaction by former school attendance officers, employed as Educational Welfare Officers (EWO) by the new Board since last July.

Dr Ann Louise Gilligan, Chairperson of the NEWB, said that the Board had been fully co-operative in addressing the concerns of the former school attendances officers in their transition to the Board. The Board dealt with their claim to become Educational Welfare Officers in a very proactive way and in accordance with the established procedures. Recent reports of industrial action by the group came as a matter of concern and surprise.

"These staff continue to enjoy the same terms and conditions as previously and are expected to carry out the same duties as previously in so far as these are not inconsistent with the new legislation," she explained. "The Board would be very concerned about any prospect of a reduction in the existing level of service to schools. Accordingly, we have sought immediate clarification from the IMPACT union in this regard."

Dr Gilligan outlined that negotiations with the union about the appointment of the former School Attendance Officers as EWOs have been ongoing since last July. The union gave qualified acceptance to the NEWB's latest offer in a response received on January 21st. This response is currently being considered in consultation with the Department of Education & Science. Dr Gilligan said that the Board is anxious that all outstanding issues are referred to the Labour Court as soon as possible so that it can move to the next stage of developing its new service.

The primary focus of the National Educational Welfare Board is on providing a fully accessible service to Ireland's school children, in particular, the country's most vulnerable children. The Board was established as the single national body with responsibility for school attendance matters. In particular the Board is responsible for ensuring that each child in the State receives a certain minimum education, through regular attendance at school. As part of this remit, the NEWB will recruit Educational Welfare Officers on a phased basis to provide a welfare-focused service accessible to schools and parents around the country. The Board will publish an action plan which will identify priorities for this year. A newsletter will also issue to all schools shortly.

For more information contact: Edel Hackett, Tel: 087-2935207/098-50218