That’s a very fair comment, Liam. Ths culture of low expectation never really went away for a lot of people when we were rolling in it. Now there are kids saying what’s the point the country’s f**ked. I fear an abandonment of these young people and the pulling up of the economic ladder from particular socio-economic groups. You don’t have to be Owen Jones to see the the early stages of this in some of the less than enlightened comments above.

Liam

You miss one important point about education.

If you educate people you run the risk of them understanding how the world works or does not work as the case maybe.

This Government is not in the business of educating people who will grow up with the ability to question them.

To maintain unaccountable Government you must have to have uneducated people. So as long as we have failed teachers running our Government we will continue to have a Government unwilling to fund education.

A bit like expecting me to speak Irish fluently. Never been taught how. Accept that parenting skills in lower socioeconomic areas get diluted with each unplanned, chaotic generation. State has to intervene in a big way. Blaming parents is too simplistic. Lone parent allowance is blatently anti family too and sends wrong signal.

@zara ….and how would you do that, remember that you have no money and no support from State Agencies …..how are you going to make parents be parents?

Stop encouraging little feckers to have little feckers.

“poverty begets poverty” Stopping this is helped by education but the welfare system has the unintended effect of making the numbers grow. Heavy taxes and the lack of a Married Mothers Allowance means middle class couples are not having children.

The social welfare system is certainly not fit for purpose. If there was some kind of encouragement, via the welfare system, to ensure early educational intervention for kids, then we’d be going a long way to improving the situation.

Sandra

Business cannot grow by giving things away for free or even having things subsidised.

Carcu Sidub nor will the economy grow if it costs parents more money to put children in childcare than they can ever possibly earn in this ‘busted’ country!

One thing though that should be looked at more is this disadvantaged area label? While it’s a good place to start as you will target larger numbers – surely, given the staggering unemployment rates, the focus, in the long-term, should be on disadvantaged homes and not areas? So many children and families are left to suffer in Ireland cause they don’t happen to live in a disadvantaged city area!

Cliona how can you prove this can you see inside every bodies homes or something just because they get facilities etc doesn’t mean that these services are available in other areas a of wealth as well I’m studying community development you need to stop the rot of poverty at the steam so you start with the children and make things better for them although the way things are now it doesn’t make much difference

Hey David,
From experience……..
I believe in giving everyone a chance but we as a nation are pissing against the wind in some areas! At the moment a vast majority of Ireland is disadvantaged not just people in a classed ‘disadvantaged area’or on social welfare, I think people should be made work (apply and interview and amount of contributions paid taken into account) and not just get it handed to them on a plate because they have never worked. As in many cases i have seen people do not appreciate education and help if its automatically giving to them and actually prolongs the social welfare assistance needed in families!
A lot and by no means all people in disadvantaged areas or on social payments think ‘why bother? I have the social’

‘You can lead a horse to water but you can’t make them drink’

Where are you getting that tripe from Cliona. My daughter goes to a school where students from all income levels attend. She can freely avail of the breakfast club, the students study club, I can either pay in full for her books or opt for the rental scheme. I’m a full time working unmarried mother, one of the average six out of ten unmarried parents who actually bring in their own wage and pay their own way in society. I also know of many primary and secondary schools who offer, like my daughter’s school, the same facilities and subsidies to every student. By the way, Back to School Allowances pay for uniforms. Some schools operate a system where second hand uniforms can be handed in and either sold or donated on a discrete basis to students in need or even if you can afford the uniform you can still buy second hand from participating schools and save a few bob, no stigma attached.

Cliona

School uniforms are not free. In fact the cost of most school uniforms is well in excess of the cost of working cloths for adults. In business where a uniform is required it is supplied.

No better to have uniforms to control students and strip them of their individually, while making profits for business while you are at it.

Firstly fair play for being a working mother it’s a hard aul slog as my mother was in the same position.
The back to school clothing and footwear scheme can only be availed of if you are already on a social welfare payment meaning people in full time employment just making ends meet cannot get any help…….while people who do not contribute to PRSI or Tax get a lovely cheque every September!
Breakfast clubs, child care and majority of facilities are only available to people on social welfare or who have medical cards…..
I’m just saying facilities should be giving to those who are really trying to make a go at life and contribute to Irish society!

@ Cliona,

Firstly Back to School Allowance is a payment that originates from the HSE and is not a payment from the Department of Social Protection. The HSE sends in payment receipts to the Department of Social Protection who in turn log it on their system and issue funds back to the HSE. It is not a standard payment in September, it is available to all qualifying recipients on a means tested and/or discretionary basis depending on income levels whether you are unemployed or employed and also whether you have exeptional needs, e.g. if you are a parent with a disability.

Secondly,
Every working person now pays PRSI irrespective of their income. This is a social contribution payment. via the HSE Community Welfare System and the Department of Social Protection if you are a parent and live in either a married or lone parenting system and your income is below the standards set for qualification then you may qualify for certain reliefs.

Thirdly,
I have vast experiece of the education system and have never heard of social welfare only breakfast clubs in schools unless you mean breakfast clubs held in community centres and houses. As for social welfare only childcare – A. places are limited and B. most childcare that is social welfare is run on a CE Scheme basis in approved community centres or houses or under voluntary schemes such as Barnardos.

Sorry but your wrong……..
You must be on a qualifying payment from DSP or HSE. I am very aware this scheme is managed by the HSE.

I hear ya sista!

Kids learn from example like Im sure you and i did! Go out and work for what you need!
Hard working parents/parent equals children with positive roll models and good work ethic!

Yes Marg, but for the sake of clarity we will just say single mothers since we do all know its single mothers who account for the high 90 % of ‘lone parents’.

Well it says disadvantages areas so where should they start you reckon in Ballsbridge?

fizi

Ballsbridge is exactly where they will start, because poor 17 year old Beaven cannot expect to be driven 100 meters to school in a 2 year old Merc S class. As for 5 year old Tabitha, “she learns good”, in a school with no heating after walking 3 km on an empty, stomach past the junkies and their discarded needles.