Lucinda Creighton (Dublin South East, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for his response. I appreciate the specific funding that has been allocated for the 2014-15 academic year, which he outlined. The fear among co-ordinators of the school completion programme concerns the funding for the academic year 2015-16, which is fast approaching. When people are trying to plan for September and trying to put in place the various elements of the programme, they need to know they have some certainty.

The concern is over the delay in the publication of the ESRI report. Perhaps the Minister will be able to inform the House when exactly that report will be published. Perhaps he will indicate how long it will take for him to consider the report and, ultimately, take decisions on the future of the programme so there can be clarity and certainty for the schools, children, their families and the co-ordinators of the programme. It is really a question of the funding for next year and how long it will take until there is certainty in that regard.

My other question, which I appreciate the Minister did not yet have a chance to address, concerns a recommendation in the ESRI report on DEIS schools pertaining to the concentration of resources on the most disadvantaged areas. We do not know whether the Minister for Education and Skills will accept the recommendation but I certainly hope she will. Does the Minister envisage a similar concentration of resources, focused on the most disadvantaged children and areas, for the school completion programme? To me, it is logical and makes sense. It will ensure the most vulnerable children are protected and provide the sorts of supports they need to ensure they can continue in education and not miss school. It will ultimately ensure they have better opportunities in life.

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