Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I agree with the Deputy about the incredible work of the SCP, the co-ordinators, project workers and all the other people they bring in to help them work in the context of usually difficult circumstances for children and families. I have visited a number of them in my own constituency and outside it. I cannot speak highly enough of them. I also understand the challenges and frustrations regarding the programme itself, knowing that we need reform and I am looking forward to that. Tusla has a dedicated unit with a national manager and others working on that who are strictly focused to this work as distinct from child protection and everything else. The decision was made a long time ago to transfer the programme from the Department of Education and Skills to Tusla. They have a history of doing that. One of the things the blueprint does is offer some guidance particularly in integrating the SCP with the other two streams, which has not been done previously. That is why it needs to be done.

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