Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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336. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when a project worker will be approved for a school (details supplied) so that the school can benefit from being included in the expansion of DEIS; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40196/23]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The Schools Completion Programme, SCP, is a central element of Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools (DEIS) programme, a key policy initiative of my Department to address educational disadvantage at school level. The programme is funded by my Department via Tusla Education Support Service, TESS, who have overall operational responsibility for the programme.

At present, management of the SCP initiatives, including the employment of staff, is managed at local level by a local Management Committee (LMC).

The significant expansion of the DEIS Programme announced by me in March 2022, provides for an extension of SCP supports to additional schools now included in the DEIS programme for the first time.

Officials from my Department have been advised by TESS that from 2022, this new DEIS school was included in North Mayo SCP and funding approved by TESS to facilitate the recruitment of an additional project worker for this Project.

TESS is currently engaging with the LMC of North Mayo SCP and Mayo Sligo Leitrim Education and Training Board (MSLETB) in relation to operational matters concerning this project. TESS continue to be available to provide any further support and guidance required at SCP@tusla.ie.

Officials from my Department will continue to engage pro-actively with all stakeholders to ensure the continuance of SCP supports to this vulnerable group of children and young people.