Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for his response to my query on the school completion programme.

I would make a number of points on the review. First, an issue that must come up as well is that there are non-DEIS schools that form part of this project. Some seem to think that if one is not in a DEIS schools, one does not have disadvantaged children. I had a meeting with a number of people on Monday night last in my constituency office in Donnycarney and they emphasised that there is a constant stream of poor and disadvantaged pupils in non-DEIS schools. I would ask the Minister to ensure that they are not excluded in the review and that the funding is not solely targeted at schools in a particular category.

I have a feeling from the response from the Minister - I hope I am right - that deep down he knows that the school completion programme is a good programme. It is important that we say so. Representatives of one of the schools said to me on Monday night last that, because of the cuts to the programme, the school had to cut back its homework clubs, from four days to two days a week, which is having an adverse effect on the pupils and on their parents and guardians. They also advised me that since the introduction of the programme in my constituency in 2002, the attendance figures have increased by over 8% and these cutbacks could undo all the good that has been done to date. In this regard the Minister referred to a business plan. Even though in one school attendance has increased by 8%, another school had been forced to let go its attendance officer and it can no longer pay for a teacher for in-school support. These are the kind of real issues on the ground.

I would like to see the reversal of the overall national 33% cut, but also that the Minister would look at it objectively and let the review group see that the project services 1,800 children in disadvantaged communities. They need our support.

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