Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The centre referred to by the Deputy is not a recognised school, but provides education for young people outside of the mainstream school setting .

While my Department primarily supports recognised schools, my Department does provide funding for a small number of alternative settings which provide education for the small number of young people who do not complete mainstream education.

My Department fully appreciates and acknowledges the very valuable work which is being undertaken in the centre referred to by the Deputy.

My Department has had extensive engagement with the centre over recent months and will continue to engage in the context of alternative education provision. The organisation receives funding from my Department and also from the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science via Cork Education and Training Board.

My Department has committed to a review of out of school settings and this review will inform future policy in this area.