Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The aim of the school completion programme is to retain young people in the formal education system until they complete the senior cycle. The programme is designed to improve school attendance and participation of young people who are at risk of educational disadvantage.

It provides targeted supports annually to approximately 37,000 children. Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, has had operational responsibility for the school completion programme since 1 January 2014, including the allocation of funds to local projects. In 2016, Tusla allocated €24.7 million to the programme.

I am sure the Deputy is aware that the Economic and Social Research Institute reviewed the programme on behalf of Tusla and its report was published in October 2015. Tusla has taken a number of actions to address the findings of the review and to strengthen the operation of the programme for the future. It is a very important priority for me, as Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, to improve attendance and participation in education, particularly for vulnerable children. The programme for Government commits to publishing a new school completion strategy to improve school completion rates further, particularly in disadvantaged areas. I will work closely with the Minister for Education and Skills in developing the new strategy and in the context of the Government programme commitment to a new action plan for educational inclusion. The aim is to secure good educational outcomes for all children, especially those who are at risk of educational disadvantage.

The Government will consider further investment in the provision of supports for young people at risk of educational disadvantage in line with the programme for Government commitments and in the context of the annual Estimates and budgetary process. I hope to be in a position to bring forward recommendations in that regard.

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