Eoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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903. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her plans to reduce the number of co-ordinators allocated to the schools completion programme; if so, the number; and the way in which these coordinators will be configured across the existing 124 school completion programmes. [12906/18]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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I am very conscious that the School Completion Programme (SCP) delivers a very valuable service for some of our most vulnerable young people. It is however in need of development and reform in terms of governance and organisation to ensure that we optimise the outcomes for these young people. 

With this in mind, the Board of Tusla convened an expert panel to identify and examine a potential revised model of good practice and governance of the SCP. The panel also examined how Industrial Relations and Human resources issues in relation to School Completion Staff could be resolved to the satisfaction of all stakeholders. The panel comprised of an external legal expert, representatives of Tusla Educational Welfare Service (EWS), Finance, HR and Legal units, representatives from my own Department, the Department of Education and Skills and Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. It was chaired by the Tusla CEO.

When I examined its findings, I decided to carry out further engagement with a range of key stakeholders. To this end I hosted a Consultation event on January 29th  last. The event was attended by a representative group including Academics with expertise in educational welfare, representatives from the voluntary sector, officials from a number of State bodies, a number of School Completion Programme Co-ordinators and School Principals. There was a range of views expressed as to how practice and governance of the SCP could be improved to ensure that the best service possible is delivered to those who need it.  I expect to receive the final report on this event shortly and will consider the findings and the range of perspectives in full.

The information provided during all of these significant engagements and from key stakeholders is currently being considered along with a range of options.  Following this the plan for the development and reform of the School Completion Programme will be finalised. My wish is that this Plan will be reflective of the inputs from stakeholders and will be directly responsive to areas for development needed to support the most effective delivery of the SCP.

I am very much aware of the positive outcomes from the School Completion Programme and I can assure the Deputy that my Department along with Tusla Educational Welfare Service are fully committed to the future of the School Completion Programme.