Denise Mitchell (Dublin Bay North, Sinn Fein)
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26. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if the home school liaison programme will be expanded to non-DEIS schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52298/18]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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As the Deputy might be aware, both the DEIS programme and the Home School Community Liaison (HSCL) Scheme are initiatives of the Department of Education and Skills (DES). HSCL posts are allocated by the Department of Education and Skills to schools which are part of the DEIS programme.

I am informed by Tusla Educational Welfare Services that in 2017 the DES reviewed the DEIS programme and this resulted in 16 additional HSCL posts being allocated to schools that were included following that review.

Responsibility for the services formerly provided by the National Educational Welfare Board (NEWB) rests with the Tusla Educational Welfare Services. However, it should be noted that all HSCL staff are employees of their schools and any extension of the HSCL scheme is a matter for the Minister of Education and Skills.

My Department works closely with the Department of Education and Skills on such issues. One recent development has involved the allocation by the Department of Educational and Skills of additional resources in the form of Home School Community Liaison staff to work on a pilot programme aimed at improving the retention and participation of Traveller children in schools. This is being delivered under the National Traveller and Roma Integration Strategy.