16 May 2005
NEWB Explores a Unique Alternative to Fines or Prison for Parents of Children not Attending School

The National Educational Welfare Board (NEWB) today (May 16th) hosted a unique Roundtable Conference to explore an alternative option to fines or imprisonment for parents convicted of not ensuring that their children attend school regularly. Mr. Brian Lenihan, Minister for Children, who initiated the idea of an alternative sanction, was special guest at the conference.

According to Eddie Ward, CEO of the NEWB, the consultative conference marks a progressive departure, not just for Irish educational welfare, but for the Irish judicial system and for Irish parents.

The resulting recommendations and ideas from the conference, in addition to other consultative work by the NEWB with parents themselves, will form the basis of a progressive option for judges faced with school attendance cases.

"Taking legal action against a parent is a very serious matter at any time and there must be a clear view that it will leave the family, and importantly, the child, in a better position. This is the thinking behind the legal sanctions on school attendance contained in the Education (Welfare) Act. Legal proceedings start with the issuing of school attendance notices, which very often result in a child attending school regularly again”

"But, sometimes cases will end up going before the courts. If this occurs, what is the point in fining a parent who is already in financial difficulties, or what is the value in sending a single parent of young children to prison, even for a short period of time? There is also a question about whether sanctions such as fines actually help change behaviour. What judges require, therefore, is an alternative to fines or imprisonment which can be imposed at their discretion.”

The resulting Framework of Recommendations from the conference and other exploratory work being carried out by the NEWB, he continued, could have the potential to provide an opportunity for parents to improve their parenting skills, their ability to access supports and services, their self-esteem and confidence and ultimately their ability to ensure that their hopes for a better education and better life for their children are realized. At the same time, it will acknowledge that a child’s educational right has been undermined.

The recommendations out of this conference will be firmly rooted in experiences, services and initiatives already being provided by professionals in fields ranging from legal aid to educational outreach services to family support services. In addition, gaps in those existing services and initiatives will be identified and improved upon. Finally, the exploratory process and recommendations will focus on how the NEWB can take the lead and where it can support the work of others in ensuring that children receive an adequate education.

"We see today as a very effective beginning to a process that should lead to good and progressive outcomes for parents but particularly children,” he said. “Very often Educational Welfare Officers report that problems with children’s school attendance are rooted in the fact that their parents did not have a good educational experience themselves. At the same time, our EWOs report that the vast majority of parents want their children to have the best opportunities in life, including educational opportunities.”

“This process is an attempt to acknowledge the needs and supports of these parents keeping in mind the legal obligation on all parents to uphold their children’s educational rights.”

For more information contact:

Edel Hackett, Tel: 087-2935207