Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her plans regarding the school completion programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56703/12]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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The school completion programme aims to retain young people in the formal education system to completion of senior cycle and to improve children’s participation and attendance in school. In 2013, €26.456 million in funding has been allocated to this programme. The programme comprises 124 projects throughout the country. It is managed and directed by the National Educational Welfare Board, NEWB, and funding is administered by my Department. It is intended to undertake a review of the programme in 2013. The review will address the potential to promote outcomes within available resources through greater consistency and efficiency in the administration and delivery of the programme. The review will be undertaken in conjunction with the NEWB and in consultation with the Department of Education and Skills.

The findings of the review will also inform the NEWB’s ongoing work to implement an integrated national approach to educational support services to enhance children’s attendance, participation and retention in schools. This approach incorporates the co-ordination of the board’s responsibilities in the three areas of the school completion programme, home school community liaison service and education welfare service.

Next year will also see the establishment of the Child and Family Support Agency and incorporation of the education welfare services operated by the NEWB within a broader and more comprehensive range of supports to children and families.

Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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In 2008, the then Fine Gael spokesperson for children expressed sharp criticism of the proposed decrease in funding. He stated:

In the current economic climate the Government, in implementing cutbacks, needs to differentiate between services that are essential and those that are not. It should not simply engage in a crash and burn approach which implements overall reductions across a broad range of sectors indiscriminately.

The Minister mentioned a review. What will it cost, will it consult the relevant stakeholders and when can we expect its publication?

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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A full review of the scheme will take place in 2013.

Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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Did the Minister say "2015"?

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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Its terms of reference will take account of the need for local innovation in developing programmes and address the variations in approaches and cost bases. The truth about the programme is that there is considerable variation in its schemes and in how it is administered. I acknowledge the work that is being done, much of which I have seen at first hand. I also acknowledge the programme's importance, how supportive it can be for principals and teachers and the difference it can make in children's lives. However, it is important that a national approach be taken.

There are significant variations in the projects and their cost bases. The programme needs to be analysed and reviewed. The review was signalled when the comprehensive review of expenditure was published. A working group has been established to steer the process. There has been an input from my Department, the National Education Welfare Board, NEWB, and the Department of Education and Skills. The review's terms of reference are being finalised. It is intended to commission an independent external evaluation of the programme to progress the matter. I will keep in mind the Deputy's points concerning the involvement of the stakeholders. It is important that we hear at first hand from those who are delivering these services.

I recognise the importance of school attendance. I have seen some interesting projects, for example, one in Ballymun and another in the inner city, through which significant differences were made in school attendance rates. The schools focused on the issue and the agencies in the locality worked together. One project in the inner city saved 57 years of school attendance through its work in approximately six schools.

The question of school completion is critical. I regret the cutbacks that must be made. I hope that, when economic growth resumes, we can begin to invest more resources into such issues.

Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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We all recognise that early school leavers are more likely to experience social exclusion and unemployment or underemployment. For these reasons, I am concerned about this important programme's future. I welcome the Minister's commitment to consulting those who have first-hand experience of it.

It may have been a slip of the tongue, but the Minister mentioned 2015.

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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2013.

Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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I presume 2013 is when the review will commence. What will that review cost? The Minister referred to using an independent firm to conduct it.

Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Given the €26 million, the 124 projects and the 13% cut in the past two years, has it been the Minister's experience since entering office a year and a half ago that most of the projects are successful and are we getting value for money from the school completion programme?

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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The current information on school completion is interesting. For those who entered second level between 2001 and 2006 in the schools in question, the average leaving certificate retention rate increased substantially from 68.2% to 80.1%. Last year, the proportion of early school leavers in Ireland was 10.6%, down from 13% in 2004, and was well below the EU average of 14%. Whatever about the range of initiatives being undertaken, it is good to see the relevant statistics are improving so substantially.

I agree, however, with the Deputies' points. We are undertaking the review because the projects need to be examined and value for money needs to be considered. We also need to determine which projects are working successfully and how they can be mainstreamed. There is significant variation.

I do not expect the review to cost much, but I will revert to Deputy Troy on that question. In our analysis of the projects and their outcomes, we intend to link with those involved to benefit from their experience.