Ceist:
6 Mr. Coveney asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will give details of the number of pupils who are currently involved in his Department's early school leavers initiative. [16188/00]
Other Questions. - Early School Leavers.
The Deputy will be aware of the importance the Government attaches to the issue of educational disadvantage and school retention. A wide range of supports for schools serving areas of disadvantage have been put in place in recent years. These supports reflect my emphasis on preventative actions and positive discrimination in favour of young people at risk of early school leaving.
The projects strand of the eight to 15 early school leaver initiative involves 17 specific projects in 14 areas. Central to this initiative is the establishment of local consortia comprising school personnel and local representatives of other statutory and voluntary agencies. These engage in the integrated provision of in-school and out-of-school supports for young people at risk of educational disadvantage and for their families. Some 1,200 young people are involved in the eight to 15 early school leaver initiative and are being supported by the various actions that have been put in place in the projects. I have already decided to extend the 17 projects for a further phase. Submissions for funding for the period from 1 July next until 31 August 2002 are being assessed in my Department at present.
We have also put in place the stay in school retention initiative at second level. This marks a significant departure from traditional policy in that funding is being granted to schools on the basis of plans which they are being helped to design themselves. My Department employs two national co-ordinators to assist participating schools in formulating their retention plans and targets. In the initial phase of the initiative, 57 schools accepted my Department's invitation to participate in the scheme and funding of almost £1.5 million was committed to these schools at the end of 1999. I recently announced a major expansion of this initiative and at the end of May a further 59 schools were invited to participate in the second phase. I will arrange to let the Deputy have a list of the schools participating in the initiative together with their enrolments.
Will the Minister accept that while these initiatives are welcome, given the scale of the problem, the sums of money involved are hopelessly inadequate? Does he accept that every year 4,000 children leave the educational system without a qualification, 1,000 from primary and 3,000 from secondary level? Does he accept that an additional 12,000 pupils leave school every year with no more than the junior certificate? Does he further accept that 1,200 students being assisted under this scheme and, at most, £1.5 million out of a budget of £3,000 million being made available to early school leaver initiatives is not recognising the priority that exists?
I have announced a doubling of the numbers which would bring the figure up to 2,400 at second level out of the 3,000 mentioned by the Deputy.
That is every single year.
Yes, but the funding will continue. This year it is £2.87 million but £4.6 million has been committed for next year in the NDP. In 2002 it will be £4.963 million.
I thank the Minister for announcing the early school leaver initiative in Inishowen where the three secondary schools are receiving support.
A question, please, Deputy.
This is an area with a high rate of early school leaving. Is the work being carried out in these schools evaluated on an ongoing basis? The Minister mentioned the 15 to 18 year old age group. Will he extend the pilot project in operation in Inishowen to primary schools in an effort to pick up potential early school leavers?
Yes. I thank the Deputy for her words of thanks. While Deputies are asking questions it should be possible to say thanks at the same time.
There is no time for that.
It could be said very quickly.
It is a tough life.
It seems to be a thankless job. I appreciate the Deputies' concerns. I regard it as very valuable work and a key part of targeting the disadvantaged. There are further funds available to me which I will use in that area.
Dr. Upton
What steps is the Minister taking to ensure all primary school pupils are registered with a secondary school and what progress, if any, has he made on the promised database of all primary school students?
Is the Minister aware that a third level graduate would have £30,000 more spent on his or her education than an early school leaver? Does he accept that if he were to provide a service to those 4,000 school leavers with no qualification at that rate it could be £120 million per year? Does he accept that what he is providing, £5 million at peak, is only scratching at the surface?
That is only on that scheme. The other funds that are to be applied to second level particularly are vastly greater. That is why I say we will have further information on those shortly. Much work has been done in preparation for that. Work is being done on the database. As regards registration, I cannot do any more until the Education (Welfare) Bill passes through the House which I hope, with Members' co-operation, will be before the summer recess. I would like to see it developed for the autumn.