Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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157. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if school completion officers will be given access to free counselling or external supervision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9187/23]

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.

There are currently 122 school completion projects with local management committees (LMC). At present, management of the SCP generally occurs at local level, including staffing arrangements and supports.

Requests for counselling services or external supervision for SCP staff can be requested from the local management committee in the first instance.