Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Some of the language used in the Minister's response concerns me. On the ESRI review to be published shortly, the Minister indicated that he hoped it would assist in identifying the reforms necessary to consolidate the programme on a sustainable footing for the future. This is certainly not the language of someone who plans to expand the programme and bring the positive impact it has had in communities where it has been delivered into other areas where similar interventions are required. The language of consolidation, unfortunately, is very different from the language of expansion, which is what we need to do with this programme. As I mentioned, the ESRI report into the effectiveness of DEIS has shown that intervention in vulnerable communities with children at risk of falling out of the education system actually works, and this should be continued. I hope the ESRI review, which we cannot prejudge, will back up the fact that the school completion programme has been an important element in this regard.

In his reply, will the Minister comment on his personal view of the place of the school completion programme and its effectiveness and contribution to radically improving outcomes and retention rates in schools? Will he also comment on the suitability of its current placement in Tusla? Does he agree that it should be put back where it started and where it is best placed, which is under the Department of Education Skills and the DEIS programme? Will the Minister also give assurance that the templates for the school completion programme plans for this coming September will be issued promptly? We he also give an assurance on funding for these programmes for the coming September and the new academic year?

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