Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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262. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs for clarification on who are the employers of the staff in school completion projects, given the confusion as to whether staff are employed by education and training boards or by local management committees; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19921/16]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, has advised that when the School Completion Programme was establishment it was envisaged that local management committees would have responsibility for the management of the programme. Over time however a wide variety of arrangements have come into being. Some local management committees employ staff directly and others are limited companies. A number of local management committees have chosen to ensure employment arrangements are carried out on their behalf by other organisations and bodies.

The Agency has confirmed that a recent audit has revealed the diversity of employment and contractual arrangements within the School Completion Programme. Tusla is currently reviewing these arrangements with a view to providing a more cohesive model of employment.

Meanwhile, the Agency has advised that it has put in place arrangements to support local projects with HR, governance and finance issues. These arrangements include an independent HR adviser and a helpline as well as support from Foróige, the national youth development organisation and The Wheel, the support and representative network for the community and voluntary sector in Ireland.