Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
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564. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the position regarding the school completion programme; if he will rule out any further budgetary reductions in delivery of the programme for the forthcoming academic year; if he will make himself available to meet with the umbrella group that represents those who deliver the programme in our schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20203/15]

James Reilly (Dublin North, 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 the school attendance, participation and retention of its target cohort. It is a targeted intervention aimed at school communities identified under the Department of Education and Skills DEIS Action Plan. It involves 124 locally managed projects and provides targeted supports to approximately 36,000 children and young people.

Since 1st January 2014, Tusla, the Child and Family Agency has had operational responsibility for the School Completion Programme, including the allocation of funds to local projects. In 2014, Tusla allocated €24.756 million, and a similar allocation is being made for 2015. Tusla has asked Chairpersons of Local Management Committees to prepare their school retention plans for the 2015/2016 school year based on the expenditure allocated last year and to return them to the Agency by June 5th. Following receipt of these plans, all school completion projects will be notified of their allocations for the 2015/2016 school year.

The ESRI is currently reviewing the School Completion Programme, which will help in future decisions on its structure, governance and operation. The report is almost finalised and it is expected it will be available next month.

I have advised the Agency of my commitment to ensuring that there is no diminution in the school completion programme services.The School Completion Programme is an important service within the Agency’s educational welfare services. It is highly regarded as a key response in securing improved educational outcomes for children and young people at risk of early school leaving.

Tusla has ongoing contact with, and is available to meet with representatives of the School Completion Programme. Officials from my Department are also available to meet with representatives of school completion projects where suitable.