Ms Cora Horgan:

Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked what education could do for the young people concerned. The formal education sector obviously needs to continue to place an emphasis on career guidance and individual supports, particularly for those who are not academically minded. It is important not to leave the more practical subjects behind. We need to recognise the importance of programmes such as Youthreach. The sector of education that is sometimes lost is the informal education sector - the youth work sector. Poor old Johnny is getting an awful doing today. When he leaves school at 4 p.m., he goes to the youth service centre or wherever else.

It is the additional supports, work placements and mentoring which can be provided. The community voluntary sector in general and family support projects must also be considered. Such a boy would come from an intergenerational culture of unemployment and his parents would also need to be supported. It would be great if parents were supported before their children ended up on the path towards early school leaving. All of these ancillary community-based supports need to be resourced.