Jack Wall
Question:1161 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Education and Science when a school (details supplied) in County Kildare will be granted a stay in the school retention initiative; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1484/02]
Written Answers. - Early School Leavers.
My Department currently supports two initiatives aimed at increasing the retention of pupils in school, namely the eight to 15 Early School Leaver Initiative – ESLI – and the Stay in School Retention Initiative – SSRI – at second level. Significant funding has been made available by this Government under the National Development Plan 2000-2006 to address the problem of early school leaving.
I have provided a total of 22.5 million for these school completion initiatives in 2002. This will facilitate a significant expansion that will focus on areas with the greatest pupil retention difficulties. In this regard, proposals are currently under consideration in my Department and I expect to be in a position to make a further announcement in relation to this matter shortly.