The School Completion Programme (SCP) employs 189 full-time staff and 566 part-time staff across 124 projects nationally, and provides supports for around 25,000 vulnerable and disadvantaged young people who are at risk of leaving school early.

A spokesperson for Minister Batt O'Keeffe said it was unlikely that the 3pc cut in payroll costs for the SCP would lead to job losses or diminution of services. It was hoped that greater efficiency and rationalisation could be achieved in the operation of the SCP projects, he said.

However, the trade union IMPACT said cuts in staff hours were already being felt in some regions. In Munster, two projects were cutting back on staff at their breakfast clubs, and out-of-school homework clubs and mentoring programmes were also affected, the union said.

In Leinster, one project would have to cut breakfast clubs, homework clubs and behavioural supports, while another project was going to have to make cuts to counselling, attendance tracking and homework clubs; in Dublin West there were plans to reduce staff hours, after-school services and an overall reduction in breakfast club services. Support teaching hours for children in mathematics are also to be cut; in Dublin Central, cuts were likely in psychotherapy and the Family Club which provides support for parents; in the North East, homework clubs, in-school supports, counselling services and individual behavioural support programmes faced cuts.

"SCP co-ordinators throughout the country face impossible choices about which services to cut in order to achieve the required savings," said Niall Weldon, chairman of IMPACT's SCP branch. 

"Co-ordinators have told me they'll be forced to cut homework clubs, breakfast clubs, counselling, attendance tracking and behavioural support programmes in order to meet the targets set by the department.

"The information we have received to date indicates that vulnerable children are set to lose out on a range of essential services." (Source: Irish Independent)