John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The reason my colleagues and I brought this issue to the floor of the Dáil is because a number of parents have expressed concern to us that the services that had been provided seemed to be in decline or might face closure. The Get Ahead Club has been in operation for 25 years since 1994 and has provided a wide range of services to children from four local junior and senior schools in the area who need extra support. It is very much done on a partnership basis.

It provides a breakfast club and homework and holiday support. I emphasise that in addition to working with children, the Get Ahead Club is also involved in developmental work with parents. Deputy Ó Broin clearly indicated that the club's funding had heretofore come in through Tusla's school completion programme. We are concerned that that conduit for funding is no longer available or that there has been a change to the programme. Parents are concerned that the service that had provided services to 120 children and young people year in, year out for the past 25 years is in danger.

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