Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

-----and have breakfast. I am aware that some DEIS status schools have not applied for school breakfast clubs. In recent years I have made additional funding available each year for the school breakfast clubs. If Deputies are aware of schools that have not applied for funding, I would encourage them to talk to the schools about talking to the Department of Social Protection about getting the funding.

I hear what Deputy O'Sullivan is saying about the concerns of the staff in the school completion programme.

In regard to Tusla, I will certainly undertake some inquiries about what that change has meant. Change is often very difficult for people. I am not au faitwith the details of the change but I do know the people on the boards of many school completion programmes. I know the people who are working in terms of the school completion programmes, and they do vital work that helps children to have that extra chance to do well in school. Ultimately, we hope to be able to help them go on to training, third level education or an apprenticeship.

It is well known that in terms of people who end up in the prison population their literacy and numeracy standards often leave much to be desired but, happily, in the recent report we have had the biggest improvement in 30 years in all of the tests that have been done. That is good for every child in this country.

See this speech in context