Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

In case there is any confusion about redeployment, the idea is that Tusla staff from other areas would be redeployed to support this particular project, particularly in September, to make sure young people come back to school. It is about resources coming in rather than resources going out.

On the transfer of functions, we are talking about a number of weeks. I can get back to the Deputy on this. We are looking at a number of weeks with regard to when the TESS function will be moved to the Department of Education and Skills.

With regard to DEIS schools, I have been the chair of the board of management of a DEIS school for the past three years. As it happens, our home school community liaison officer is also the staff representative on the board and we have had a real insight into the work she does, particularly advancing elements of our DEIS plan, which looks at issues such as attendance. I am fully supportive of the idea of expanding DEIS access throughout the country.

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