John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Question 540: To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the level of funding granted to the homework club or to the three university projects located at a centre (details supplied) since its inception; if this project is now guaranteed the yearly allocation for 2012 onwards; if it is now included in main stream funding for the future. [15912/11]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I will supply the information in relation to the level of funding granted to the project directly to the Deputy.

Following an evaluation in 2009 of the project to which the Deputy refers, it was decided to integrate the project with the School Completion Programme, as both projects share the same objectives and aims. Agreed arrangements are now in place for the integration of the project with Kilkenny School Completion Programme from September 2011.

As the Deputy may be aware, the School Completion Programme is managed by the National Educational Welfare Board (NEWB) alongside Home School Community Liason (HSCL) and the Education Welfare Service (EWS) as part of the Integration of Education Services Project. The aim and rationale for the Integrated Service is to provide more effective services for children who have difficulties participating in school; improved engagement with other agencies and services working with children and families; more effective policy making with an increased emphasis on planning, outcome measurement and the gathering of evidence on the impact of interventions.

A number of children's services, from various sectors, including the National Education Welfare Board, are being brought together under the responsibility of my Department. Responsibility for SCP and NEWB, together with their budgets have transferred to my Department with effect from 2 June 2011.