Vol. 509 No. 4
342 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will support the necessary resource initiative taken by a person (details supplied) to provide an after school care pilot homework support project for children in the area in order to improve reading and writing skills and lessen the incidents of early school leaving; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20348/99]
I am aware of the project to which the Deputy refers. One of the key objectives of the eight to 15 year old early school leavers initiative, which will operate until June 2000, is to test models of response to the problem of early school leaving with a view to their replication, after evaluation, in areas of educational disadvantage. Models of response currently being tested under this initiative include homework support projects, as well as personal and social development and leisure and recreational projects.
I can assure the Deputy that the project to which he refers will be fully considered in the event of additional resources becoming available to address educational disadvantage.
