Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 May 2024
315. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Education if he is aware of the Inspire programme as an education support programme for vulnerable students (details supplied); if there are plans to extend this programme; the annual remuneration for an Inspire programme line manager; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22865/24]
View answerThe Inspire programme is aimed at those who are experiencing difficulty in school and who often end up being excluded from school because of their particular difficulties. The programme focus on students who are experiencing social emotional behavioural difficulties and are at risk of either dropping out completely or getting permanently excluded from school. Students attend the programme for 10 weeks, 4 days a week, and return to their own school each Friday.
The aim of the Inspire Programme is for:
• Full Post Primary reintegration with the ability to function in a healthier way in their personal and school lives and ultimately remain in mainstream education.
• To deliver a student centred education support programme that will empower students to re-engage in mainstream education.
• Core principals to assess students’ needs to deliver a student centre education support programme.
• To further develop student’s personal and social skills to work in close partnership with families and schools.
• To encourage students to remain in education.
The Inspire Programme is managed a Youthreach Coordinator. Youthreach Coordinators are remunerated on a standardised incremental salary scale. Circular 0035/2024 issued by the Department of Further and Higher Education Research Innovation and Science in April 2024 contains the current salary scale.
In May 2022, my Department published its report of the Review of Out-of-School Educational Provision, which included six key recommendations to inform future policy in the area. In October 2022, an interdepartmental and inter agency implementation group was established in to progress the recommendations of the Review of Out-of-School Education Provision.
The implementation group is currently finalising a report and action plan for the future of education provision for students who are at risk of becoming disengaged or have become disengaged from mainstream education.
