Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 February 2013
614. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will reverse the cuts to the school completion programme in schools (details supplied) in Dublin 11 in view of the invaluable work carried out by this service and the minimum cost involved; the impact of this cut on students who depend on this service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7034/13]
View answerThe School Completion Programme (SCP) aims to retain young people in the formal education system to completion of senior cycle and to generally improve the school attendance, participation and retention of its target cohort. The SCP is one of three service strands, which also includes the Home School Community Liaison and the Education Welfare Service, being integrated under the remit of the National Educational Welfare Board (NEWB). The SCP is a key programme under the Department of Education and Skills DEIS (Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools) action plan.
In 2013, funding of €26.456m has been made available by my Department to support the programme, which involves 124 projects and initiatives throughout the country.
The Local Management Committee assesses the needs of marginalised educationally disadvantaged students at local level to devise an integrated, costed and targeted proposal of interventions to support these young people. This project model approach allows the Local Management Committee the autonomy to be creative and innovative in developing strategies to encourage attendance, retention and participation of the targeted young people. Accordingly, it is a matter for the SCP to decide on the use of SCP funds in the context of the available grant and the overall programme of activities.
In September 2012, the Local Management Committee responsible for each SCP project was notified that a reduction on last year’s allocation would apply for the coming academic cycle. €341,234 was made available to the School Completion Project raised by the Deputy for the 12/13 academic year.
Projects were requested to revise their plans for 2012/13 in order to achieve efficiencies and reduce costs whilst prioritising evidence based services to support children’s educational outcomes. The National Educational Welfare Board (NEWB), under the remit of my Department, has provided assistance to projects through this process in accordance with its management responsibilities for the programme.
In the present challenging financial circumstances it is not feasible to alter the notified allocations to individual projects. I would note that my Department intends to complete a review of the SCP over the course 2013. It is anticipated that the review will assist to identify operational efficiencies and other reforms necessary to consolidate the programme on a sustainable footing as a key component of an integrated school support service under the NEWB.
The purchase of food by schools is separately funded by the Department of Social Protection. In this instance these funds are channelled through the local School Completion Programme. I am advised by the NEWB that the Local Management Committee of the Programme in question, having reviewed all provisions across its programme, took the decision to prioritise SCP funding this year for interventions in other areas. However, I am advised by the NEWB that the Local Co-ordinator and SCP Chairperson are continuing to explore options to support delivery of the meals programme for students in the schools in question.
