Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 5 April 2006
48 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Education and Science her response to the survey of 2002-03 school leavers carried out by the ESRI which indicated that the percentage of those who left without qualifications and were jobless a year later has increased by 13% in two years and that the overall percentage of those who were jobless after a year increased from 11% in 1999 to 21% in 2004; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13476/06]
Amharc ar fhreagraGiven the clear link between leaving the system without formal qualifications and continued socio-economic disadvantage in adult life, the Government is determined to do all that is possible to ensure that children and young people get the opportunities and supports they needs to enable them to complete their education and secure their future economic and personal well being. Against the background of our continuing economic success, our increasingly well-educated population, with 40% of 25 to 34 year olds having a third level qualification, the second highest level in the EU, and inward migration, those who leave school early without adequate qualifications face serious difficulties and challenges.
This is why we are providing almost €650 million for educational inclusion programmes in 2006 across all levels of education. This includes additional funding for the implementation of measures under the DEIS action plan at pre-school, primary and second level, and additional funding of €7 million for further education programmes.
We are determined not only to encourage more young people to complete their full second level education but also to improve the educational opportunities available to those who have left school early.
My Department has adopted a broad-based approach to tackling early school leaving. We established the National Educational Welfare Board, NEWB, to monitor attendance and help to get young people back to school. We have widened the range of curricula available to students by promoting the junior certificate schools programme, the leaving certificate vocational programme, and the leaving certificate applied programme in addition to the traditional junior and leaving certificate curricula.
We have also put preventative measures in place such as the school completion programme and the home school community liaison scheme, HSCL. Under the school completion programme children at risk of early school leaving are targeted for a variety of extra supports, educational and non-educational, during and outside of school time — all aimed at encouraging them to stay in school. The home school community liaison scheme helps to get parents involved in their children's education, which as we all know is a crucial component of convincing young people of the value of education. Under the new action plan for tackling disadvantage, DEIS, that I launched last year, more schools will benefit from both of these important programmes.
In relation to second chance educational opportunities for young people who left school early, this Government has shown a sustained commitment to providing greater opportunities in the adult and further education sectors. Many such young people take up places in Youthreach centres, while others pursue options such as FÁS apprenticeships. Indeed, CSO figures indicate that the number of persons aged 20 to 24 that had attained at least a leaving certificate or equivalent level of education or training increased between 1999 and 2004. This growth reflects the increasing numbers of students now participating in second chance further education and training programmes. In fact, the level of educational attainment of Irish young people is ahead of the EU average on that measure. While I agree with the Deputy, therefore, that young people who leave school early can face serious difficulties in finding employment, I assure him that we have greatly intensified our efforts in recent years both to keep more young people in school and to provide increased educational opportunities for those who left school early. I will continue to prioritise further progress in this area.
