Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 January 2015
322. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 749 of 17 September 2014, if the ESRI review of the school completion programme has been or is close to completion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3479/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe planned programme review of School Completion Programme, indicated in the Comprehensive Review of Expenditure 2012-2014 is underway. The objectives of the review are to examine the programme's structures, clarify roles and responsibilities, to analyse the interventions and supports provided and identify best practice and make recommendations for the future of the programme.
The plan for the review includes arrangements to capture the views of a range of stakeholders, including staff and all those involved in the organisation and administration of the School Completion Programme. It includes a survey to gather the views of project coordinators and chairpersons of the 124 local school completion programme projects throughout the country, case studies of projects involving staff and participating schools and interviews with national stakeholders who have a direct interest in the programme.
The review of the School Completion Programme is an important initiative in planning for the future development of the programme. It will assist in identifying the reforms necessary to consolidate the programme on a sustainable footing for the future. Preliminary information gathered in the review indicates that the School Completion Programme encompasses a broad and diverse range of measures and interventions that have been developed by local projects over the years. The intention is to learn more about the most successful of these, share the learning across the programme and ensure that available funds are targeted to those services that provide the greatest contribution to good educational outcomes for children and young people at risk of educational disadvantage.
Work is at an advanced stage and it is anticipated that the review will be completed during this current academic year.
