Ms Olive McGovern:

The invitation to the Department asked for Comhairle na nÓg material for the committee for today. That is why we have material on the voice of children and young people. I can ensure that the committee is provided with broader submissions on a whole range of work for which the Department has responsibility and which impacts on this topic overall.

I have briefing material on the school completion programme, particularly as it is under reform. Nothing in the briefing that I have for today indicates it is moving to a regional service as described but there is a widespread consultation of service review and governance matters.

The material I provided for today relates specifically to the voice of the children. In that context, I brought in the additional piece of work relating to the Children's Equality Commission, which specifically worked with children and young people from youth services, DEIS schools, and, in particular, in initiatives supporting children in homelessness, direct provision and other areas of vulnerability. How they experience their lives and what matters to them has been well documented as part of that initiative. The piece is specific on how they experience school. The direct quotes from the children and young people-----