Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 19 November 2014
11. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if expenditure for the school completion programme has been ring-fenced for 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43981/14]
View answerThe School Completion Programme 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 young people who are at risk of educational disadvantage. The Programme is a targeted intervention aimed at those school communities identified through the Department of Education and Skills’ DEIS Action Plan for Educational Inclusion. It provides targeted supports to 36,000 children.
Since 1 January 2014, the Child and Family Agency has operational responsibility for the School Completion Programme, including the allocation of funds to local projects. In 2014, an allocation of €24.756 million has been provided for the School Completion Programme.
The estimate for the Agency for 2015 is €635 million, a 4.3% increase on its 2014 allocation. My Department will issue a Performance Statement under Section 45 of the Child and Family Agency Act, 2013 in December. This will include my priorities for consideration in the development of the 2015 Business Plan. The Business Plan will set out the Agency's proposed activities, programmes and priorities for 2015 in light of the monies available.
A review of the School Completion Programme has commenced. It is being carried out by the ESRI following a procurement process managed by the Agency. The review will examine the programme structures. It will analyse the interventions provided and make recommendations for evidence informed supports designed to secure the best educational outcomes for young people. The review is an important initiative to plan for the future development of this Programme. The programme has been in operation since 2002 and I believe that it is timely that a review be carried out. It is envisaged that the review will be completed during the 2014/2015 academic year.
