Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 17 Jun 1999

Vol. 506 No. 4

Written Answers. - Early School Leavers.

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

22 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Education and Science the recent projects he approved to tackle the problem of early school leavers; the location of each project; the number of students catered for; the funding allocated in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15619/99]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin)

In September 1998 I introduced the eight to 15 year old early school leavers programme which will operate for the school years 1998-99 and 1999-2000. A total of £3.68 million has been committed to this programme.

The objective of this programme is to test a range of strategic pilot projects aimed at combating the problem of early school leaving in selected urban and rural areas of disadvantage. Experience gained through the pilot programme will facilitate the development of models of best practice which can be integrated, after evaluation, into mainstream policy and practice.

A total of 14 project areas have been selected for inclusion in the present phase of this initiative. Nine of the projects focus on large urban areas. Three projects focus on provincial towns and two on rural areas. The specific detail requested by the Deputy in relation to the location of each project; the numbers of students involved; and the funding allocated in each case, is in the form of a tabular statement which I propose to circulate in the Official Report.

Earlier this month I announced a £4.5 million initiative aimed at keeping pupils in school up to the end of the leaving certificate. The core approach underpinning this initiative is one of empowering schools to take charge of tackling early school leaving. Under this initiative, schools and VEC schemes with retention rates below the national average will be invited to put forward a retention plan for approval. It is expected that up to 40 schools will participate in the first phase of the initiative and each will receive resources to implement the agreed retention plan stay-in-school initiatives. The number of pupils catered for under the initiative will become known when schools are selected and retention plans are agreed with my Department.

In addition to these developments aimed at encouraging children at risk to stay in school, my Department part funds the youthreach programme and a network of senior traveller training centres for those who have already left the system. The 1999 cost for the programme in the VEC sector in 1999 for this is £32.099 million for 3540 places. New developments since 1998 include the expansion of the programme by 2637 places in FÁS and the vocational education committees, the introduction of a guidance, counselling and psychological service, and the provision of child care support.

Overall policy in this area is focused on the provision of a continuum of supports ranging from preventive actions such as home school liaison, the remedial, guidance and psychological services, additional staff and funds for schools in disadvantaged areas, staff development and curricular reforms and the forging of improved community links, to second chance education provision under programmes such as Youthreach.

8 to 15 Early School Leavers Initiative

Project	Total Number of Pupils Targeted	Allocation
		Per Annum
Dublin
1. Ballymun	141	£175,000
2. Clonshaugh – Dublin 17	148	£117,000
3. Killinarden, Dublin 24	50	£55,000
4. Jobstown, Dublin 24	18	£55,000
Project	Total Number of Pupils Targeted	Allocation
		Per Annum
Limerick
5. Southill/Rosbrien	221	£140,000
6. St. Munchins	61	£50,000
Cork
7.Knocknaheeny/North West City	69	£260,000
8. Mahon/Blackrock	41	£125,000
9. Bantry/Dunmanway	79	£80,000
Waterford City
10. Ballybeg/Lisduggan	123	£120,000
County Clare
11. Ennis	54	£65,000
County Meath
12. Navan	44	£45,000
County Louth
13. Dundalk	46	£75,000
County Kerry
14. North Kerry	98	£ 70,000
Total	1193	£1,432,000