Derek Keating (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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Question 142: To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the cost to her Department for the school completion programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19196/11]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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The School Completion Programme which encompasses both primary and post-primary levels, entails targeting individual children and young people of school-going age, both in and out of school, and arranging supports to address inequalities in education access, participation and outcomes. It is based on the project model with an integrated approach involving primary and post primary schools, parents and relevant statutory, voluntary and community agencies.

The School Completion Programme and Home School Community Liaison is now integrated under the National Education Welfare Board, responsibility for which transferred to my Department from the Department of Education and Skills. The full budget for the School Completion Programme transferred to my Department with effect from 2 June 2011.

The funding allocation for the School Completion Programme in 2011 is €30.256m, which supports 124 projects across 26 counties, involving 224 second level and 473 primary schools, specifically targeting 38,000 children and young people at risk of early school leaving.