asked the Minister for Education if she will make a statement about the educational and social problems of the substantial minority of children, mostly from deprived backgrounds, who leave school early and/or without any qualifications.
Written Answers. - Early School Leavers.
73.
The policy and the intentions of the Government in regard to the educational needs of disadvantaged groups are described in the Programme for National Recovery, section IV, paragraphs 15-19. As stated there, there is a range of measures in place to assist disadvantaged groups. The Government will continue to encourage and foster the participation of the disadvantaged at all levels of education. For those who do not complete second level there is considerable State support by way of provision for training (FÁS, CERT, ACOT), vocational preparation and training courses, and employment subsidies and schemes. The Government will focus on devising special measures to attract priority one pupils to VPT courses.