Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 2 May 2001

Vol. 535 No. 2

Written Answers - Early School Leavers.

Pat Rabbitte

Ceist:

109 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the findings of a recent survey which found that early school leavers were not benefiting as much as others from the economic boom and that, in particular, many employers were prejudiced against early school leavers; the particular plans he has to address the job needs of early school leavers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7114/01]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods):

The recent ESRI report entitled Issues in the Employment of Early School Leavers shows that in the past two years only 20.7% of firms surveyed employed early school leavers who had not attained their leaving certificate. For those who did not do so, or 31%, the major reason given was that they were simply not recruiting and 14.3% of firms said that they had received no applications from early school leavers. A lack of education or skills was cited less frequently. In addition, employers who had engaged early school leavers showed that they rated them as good or average in terms of honesty, reliability, time keeping, teamwork and ability to fit in or have personal skills, for basic ability which could be built upon, and for following instructions. In this survey early school leavers scored lower for computer literacy, having participated in pre-employment training and initiative.

A key objective in educational policy is to optimise participation in school to completion of upper second level education. A range of targeted initiatives are in place to achieve this. They range between additional teaching and financial supports for schools in disadvantaged areas, a key emphasis on school planning and the development of community and inter-agency links, curricular reforms to widen choice and increase relevance and staff development programmes.

For those who leave school with no qualifications or less than five Ds at junior cycle, Youthreach provides an intensive programme of integrated general education, vocational training and work experience. Following a major expansion of the programme in 1998 some 7,000 places are provided between FÁS and the vocational education committees. This is supplemented by a guidance counselling and psychological service and by a child care measure, both of which were introduced for the first time in 1998. A survey of Youthreach participants who completed programmes in 2000 shows that 76.2% progressed to employment of which 53.8% came from further education and 22.4% came from training. Youthreach centres operate referral networks which link education and training providers with FÁS, welfare and employment, health and probation services and with employers. New technology and work experience are a mandatory part of the programme.

At present Youthreach operates on a full-time basis and caters for early school leavers who are unemployed. The need for such young people to continue their education and training after entering work has been recognised and the back to education initiative proposed in the White Paper on Adult Education: Learning for Life, and provided for in the national development plan, will provide for a major expansion of part-time learning options across the further education sector.

Work in this area will be further strengthened with the establishment of an educational welfare service under the Education Welfare Act, 2000. The service will play a key role in supporting children at risk to remain in school and will support early leavers in the 16 to 18 age group who leave school to enter work to continue their education and training.