Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

As the Minister of State is aware, the school completion programme, SCP, is a support system for children and young people who are at risk of early school leaving. The programme seeks to increase school participation, attainment and retention among this group of students. It is quite clear that in areas of generational educational, economic and social disadvantage, a scheme that encourages young people to stay in school and which aids them in achieving their potential at all levels of education, is a vital support. Low educational attainment and educational disadvantage have been shown to have a highly detrimental effect on individuals affected, their families, their community and society at large, not to mention the economic problems caused when young people are failed by the education system. Educational disadvantage is closely linked to the prevalence of poverty and Members are aware this State has at least three quarters of a million people living in poverty, many of whom are children and there has been an increase of 10% in child poverty in recent years.

The vast preponderance of research on the issue indicates clearly that children from poorer socioeconomic backgrounds and communities are much more likely to underachieve in education when compared with those from middle and high-income backgrounds. Children in poverty deal on a daily basis with a range of personal, social and economic conditions that make educational attainment a much more difficult goal. The good news is that education is a key to solving many of these peripheral conditions that harm educational attainment in poor communities. It is a vicious cycle that can be broken only by providing resources to educational programmes that take a step towards those affected by poverty and educational disadvantage. The school completion programme is such a support. It supports school readiness, helps with the development of social and emotional competence and eases the transition from primary to post-primary education.

In the areas of Finglas and Ballymun, which I represent, educational disadvantage and poverty are major problems. Thankfully, we benefit from the wonderful efforts of schools involved in the SCP, such as Scoil na Maighdine Muire, Scoil an tSeachtar Laoch and St. Joseph's senior school, all of which are located in Ballymun. They have contacted me regarding their concerns for the future of the programmes. SCP in Ballymun gives vital support to approximately 300 children and young people each year. The schools involved give glowing accounts of the positive impact of the SCP. They state more can be done but not while less is being given. Since 2008, the school completion programme budget has been cut by 33%. Continuous reductions have hurt badly the programme's ability to do its work. Since Fine Gael and the Labour Party took office, the annual budget has been cut by €5.3 million, which is a cut of 18%. This is a cut to a service for some of the most vulnerable young people in the country. It is a line no Government should cross or consider crossing and this comes on top of other cuts to vital educational supports for disadvantaged children. This year's allocation remains well below funding for 2011, while the top rate of tax has been cut.

The Ballymun education support team, BEST, completion programme works with eight DEIS schools and provides targeted intervention through a range of programmes and activities, including school breakfast clubs, small work groups, one-to-ones, the incredible years programme to prevent and treat emotional and behavioural difficulties as well as a transition programme that supports children moving from primary to post-primary school. This helps and supports pupils and children most at risk to engage in school programmes and curricula.

See this speech in context