Colm Burke (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the delegates for their presentations. I apologise for not being here but I have read the presentations. I thank the delegates for the work they are doing in this important area.

I want to raise an issue concerning a programme in which the delegates may not be directly involved. In 1996 we introduced the Breaking the Cycle scheme whereby we increased the number of teachers per number of students and we brought the ratio down from 1:28 to 1:15. Have there been any reports on the benefits of that and, if so, what have they been? Has the programme made as big a difference as we thought it would?

The second issue relates to support in poorer areas, where, despite the changes that have occurred in the pupil-teacher ratio, we still have a big problem with literacy and numeracy skills. I recently spoke to the principal of a secondary school who encounters a high rate of literacy and numeracy problems among first-year students. What progress has been made in that respect in poorer areas? In the context of establishing schemes involving both parents and children, in one area in my constituency, €1.5 million is being invested in a well-drafted joint programme.

Is this the best way of dealing with it and is there enough research to support this type of system? In many poorer areas, thus far there has not been a huge impact over the past 15 years in getting people from primary to secondary school and on to third-level education. The percentage going on to third-level education in such areas still has not changed dramatically. Similarly, huge progress has not been made regarding people from such areas getting into the workforce in any way. Do the witnesses think enough is being done at the very early stages with parents in particular? Should the focus on this issue be changed? The programme in my home area to which I referred pertains to a very early stage before the children start school. Do the witnesses think much more must be done in this area?