Ms Danielle McKenna:

I thank Deputy Costello for mentioning the access programmes. We believe in access programmes and think they are very valuable. Unfortunately, they happen when a young person is going from secondary to third level whereas we believe they need to begin in primary school. One of the core ways out of poverty is early intervention and prevention, so we really want to look at access programmes and young people who are already struggling in primary school. By the time they get to the end of secondary school, the access programme is no longer beneficial. As important as they are, access programmes do not look at the intergenerational educational inequality that is in existence for many young people. That needs to be supported alongside community-based projects where the projects bridge the gaps and help young people in their pathways in education. It needs to be at a community level and at an access level but also at a State support level.