Gino Kenny (Dublin Mid West, People Before Profit Alliance)
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374. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the stage of the school completion programme for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7383/23]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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On 1 January 2021, the administration of the school completion programme (SCP), transferred from the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to my Department. The SCP forms part of the Tusla Education Support Service (TESS). While the arrangements between Tusla and the SCP are not impacted by the change in ministerial responsibility, Tusla now reports to my Department in respect of the SCP; SCP is funded by my Department via Tusla.

The SCP was introduced in 2002 by my Department and the programme is now a central element of DEIS, a key policy initiative of my Department to address educational disadvantage at school level. The SCP delivers a range of local interventions in disadvantaged communities that support the retention of young people in education.

There are currently 122 school completion projects with local management committees. At present, management of the school completion programme initiatives generally occurs at local level.

Budget 2021 provided for a 5% increase in funding for the School Completion Programme. I have again increased funding for this programme by a further 5% under Budget 2023, as part of an €8 million allocation to address the impacts of COVID-19 and increase retention rates of students in schools, especially those from groups at risk of educational disadvantage.

Regarding the school referred to by the Deputy, the SCP work collaboratively with school staff with a current particular focus on improving school attendance. SCP initiatives include both targeted and universal supports.