Denise Mitchell (Dublin Bay North, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I cannot speak highly enough of the work being done under the school completion programme. Unfortunately, under previous Governments resources for this important programme were cut. Its move to Tusla seems to have led to many complaints from staff and teachers about how long it takes for the scheme and the activities to be approved. With everything else Tusla has on its plate, it is probably not the best body to be overseeing this. We also have a bit of a problem that it is mostly DEIS schools that can avail of the programme but now many students are travelling to Gaelscoileanna and non-religious schools. These students who would have been able to avail of the supports are no longer able to do so because they are no longer attending school in a DEIS area. Has the Minister given any consideration to placing this programme back under the remit of the Department of Education and Skills?

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