asked the Minister for Education if he will introduce amending legislation to allow school attendance officers to be appointed in County Dublin and similar areas as this cannot be done at present.

The jurisdiction of the school attendance committees is limited by the School Attendance Act, 1926 to the county boroughs of Cork, Dublin, Waterford and the urban districts of Blackrock and Dún Laoghaire. The enforcing authority for all other areas is the Gárda Síochána.

I would have strong sympathy with the suggestion contained in the Deputy's question and I believe that an overhaul of a number of aspects of the school attendance service is appropriate. This matter is now under urgent examination in my Department.