Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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31. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the budget for the school completion programme; the status of the report of the expert panel convened to identify and examine a potential revised model of good practice and governance of the school completion programme; the number of children who come into contact with the programme; if staffing levels are adequate; and her plans to replenish its budget to ensure the effective delivery of same. [37910/18]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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I am very conscious that the School Completion Programme delivers a valuable service for some of our most vulnerable young people. I want to achieve the best possible results for these young people for the professionals who deliver the service.

As referred to by the Deputy, the Board of Tusla convened an expert panel to identify and examine a potential revised model of good practice and governance of the School Completion Programme.

When I examined its findings, I decided to carry out some further discussions with a number of other stakeholders. To this end I hosted School Completion Consultation event in Farmleigh House on January 29th last. Matters discussed included best practice and governance within the School Completion Programme. There was a range of views expressed as to how both these elements could be improved.

In order to advance matters I have now decided that my Department will establish a task group to scope out a policy blueprint for the SCP and the EWS going forward. This group will take into account the findings of the expert panel and will consult with relevant stakeholders.

The Educational Welfare Service (EWS) of Tusla has advised that approximately 38,000 children and young people come into contact with the programme annually.

The funding available to the SCPs for the School year 2018/2019 stands at €24.7m. My Department is currently working with the EWS to ensure the necessary resources are available to ensure that staffing levels are sufficient to deliver a high quality service.

I can assure the Deputy that my Department and the EWS are fully committed to the future of the School Completion Programme and will continue to work to ensure that it will deliver the best possible outcomes for young people at risk of early school-leaving.