48. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if the proposed changes to the triple lock will impact on Ireland’s policy of being militarily neutral; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30705/25]

Sentiment score: 0.04

97. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Education and Youth the latest figures for school completion rates; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30703/25]

Sentiment score: 0.01

Will the Minister provide an update on the latest figures for school completion rates?

Sentiment score: 0.00

I firmly believe the Minister has made great strides on the issue of school completion. Initiatives such as free school books, hot meals, transport and even the school clothing and footwear allowance announced this week are all helping to encourage more people to stay engaged in education. Youth services have an important role to play as well. Some of the initiatives Laois and Offaly Education and Training Board, LOETB, has rolled out in my constituency are making a difference. While Offaly has one of the lower levels of school completion rates, we only get one allocation due to us having a double-county ETB. Our allocation is one third of what some of the higher allocations are for ETBs throughout the country as a result. I ask the Minister to acknowledge the need for youth services to work in parallel with the education process in order to support those dropping out of school completion at an earlier time.

Sentiment score: 0.32

While we see an increase in the youth population in Offaly, we also see an increase in youth dependency rates. That is a call more than ever before to see this funding allocated where it is needed most. In the context of the Minister’s previous role as Minister for Justice, if we can ensure this funding is allocated and effective, we mitigate the possibility of antisocial behaviour, mental health issues, substance misuse and criminality in general. It has an important role to play. We must look at what the likes of LOETB have done in recent times. It has proven to be so effective with limited budgets. We now need to see targeted measures across both counties, particularly in Offaly, to ensure we are doing this in an effective manner. I ask that, rather than looking at specific projects, we identify where geographically we need this and then we provide it on that basis in the months ahead.

Sentiment score: 0.43