Kathleen Funchion (Carlow-Kilkenny, Sinn Fein)
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66. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the schools taking part in the school completion programme have been asked to cut the number of students down to 10% of the current number of students they are working with; her views on whether the consequences of this decision will prove to be detrimental to many students' educational development; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45002/17]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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Schools participating in the School Completion Programme have not been asked to cut the numbers of students they are working with down to 10% of current numbers.

Schools have however been asked to ensure that the School Completion Programme funding is focused on achieving its primary purpose, that is, to target those children most at risk of early school leaving. Ireland's school completion rates have improved significantly over the years, but those children who remain at risk of early school leaving often now require intensive, highly customised interventions to support them to stay in school.

This year Tusla has asked School Completion Programme projects to identify the children most at risk and to provide the range of interventions these children require. In some instances this may reduce the number of children attending the School Completion Programme activities, but it should deliver better outcomes for vulnerable children most in need of the Programme.

To assist schools and projects with this new focus on high-risk children, a working group of SCP Coordinators and Tusla Educational Welfare staff developed a revised Annual School Retention Plan. Through this Plan, schools and projects can set out the universal and targeted measures they hope to use to meet the needs of their children.

The School Completion Programme is a core element of the Educational Welfare Service provided by Tusla and I believe it is a crucial service for children, parents and schools. I am committed to working with Tusla to see this important programme developed to its optimum.