Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 9 Dec 2003

Vol. 576 No. 5

Written Answers. - Educational Disadvantage.

Seán Crowe

Question:

252 Mr. Crowe asked the Minister for Education and Science the locations in which homework clubs are in operation; the amount of staff provided; the financial cost of these clubs; the numbers of children using these clubs; and his plans to expand this initiative. [29767/03]

Seán Crowe

Question:

253 Mr. Crowe asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of homework clubs operating in the Dublin south west area; the amount of staff provided; the financial cost of these clubs; the numbers of children using these clubs; and his plans to expand this initiative. [29768/03]

Seán Crowe

Question:

254 Mr. Crowe asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of homework clubs operating in the Tallaght area; the amount of staff provided; the financial cost of these clubs; the number of children using these clubs; and his plans to expand this initiative. [29769/03]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. N. Dempsey):

I propose to take Questions Nos. 252 to 254, inclusive, together.

My Department does not operate a specific national scheme for the provision of homework clubs. However, a range of schemes aimed at tackling educational disadvantage under which resources are allocated for the provision of a range of holistic supports to enable pupils from educationally disadvantaged backgrounds to participate fully in school.

The school completion programme, which currently supports 82 projects, involves 296 primary schools and 109 post primary schools. The SCP aims to develop local strategies to ensure maximum participation levels in the education process. It entails targeting individual young people of school going age, both in and out of school, and arranging supports to address inequalities in education access, participation and outcomes. There are six school completion programme sites in the Dublin south west-Tallaght area, targeting approximately 1,394 children most at risk of early school leaving, have been allocated a total of €1,211,000 for 2003-2004. Each project site must submit a retention plan, devising a collaborative programme of in-school and out-of-school actions, which provide after-school, holiday time, home, family and community supports to enhance the young person's readiness to benefit from education.

It is not possible to determine the number of staff working in homework clubs as a combination of full time, part time and voluntary staff provide this support. A total of 2,351 primary schools are participating in Giving Children an Even Break and are in receipt of additional supports to be targeted at disadvantaged pupils. After-school support services, which include literacy and numeracy, personal development, leisure and sporting activities are among the supports provided under this initiative.

My Department has also provided funding for homework clubs in disadvantaged areas under the fund for the development of targeted responses to certain children at risk. This fund is the responsibility of my colleague, Minister of State, Deputy Brian Lenihan. Its purpose is to develop preventative and supportive programmes that are targeted at children and young people who are at risk of educational disadvantage and social exclusion. In addition, many of the area partnership companies have provided homework support under their education measures.