Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for his reply but the teachers involved with the school completion programme would not agree with his view. Early school leaving and underachievement, particularly in disadvantaged areas, are key. Everything being done to address those issues has to be supported. The school completion programme is doing that. Its success in that regard was acknowledged in the ESRI report by Professor Emer Smyth. It was also noted in the report, however, that it was a cause of concern and uncertainty that it came under the remit of the Department of Children and Youth Affairs rather than the Department of Education and Skills.

The school completion programme is rolled out in schools with after-school clubs, holiday programmes and so forth. The teachers who roll it out are in the schools on the ground and are able to address issues as they arise. We know the problems there have been with guidance and counselling. It is the school completion teachers who have been picking that up that work. This is not a criticism of Tusla but an acknowledgement of the severe caseload the agency has. It does not make sense to give it additional work with children who, at certain points, do not need social workers but need teachers in the school completion programme.

Will the Minister consider moving it back to the Department of Education and Skills?

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