Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
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714. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when it is planned to move the school completion programme across to her Department; the timeline for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32456/20]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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On 27 June the Taoiseach announced that educational welfare functions and school completion services will be returned to my Department. TUSLA Education Support Service (TESS) and the Alternative Education Assessment and Registration service (AEARS) operate these functions while under the remit of the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.

The current discussions are focused on the transfer of relevant policy and legislative functions and funding, including the School Completion Programme. This means that funding and policy for those functions operated by Tusla Education Support Service and the Alternative Education Assessment and Registration service, including the School Completion programme will come under my remit.

It is envisaged that the transfer will be completed in the coming months. Discussions are underway between my Department and the Department of Children, Equality, Disability Integration and Youth in this regard.