Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 March 2017
817. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of school completion programmes in schools that do not have DEIS status (details supplied); the way these programmes will be impacted following the recent DEIS announcement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11488/17]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that there are currently just over 150 Non-DEIS schools supported under the School Completion Programme (SCP). The Educational Welfare Service of the Child and Family Agency (Tusla) has advised that it does not intend to make any changes to the SCP for the 2017/2018 school year as the planning process for the 2017/2018 school year is already at an advanced stage. Tusla will be engaging in discussions with my Department and the Department of Education and Skills in relation to the status of Non-DEIS schools and the SCP over the coming months. It is considered that any changes to the SCP in the context of the recent DEIS announcement will not take place until the 2018/2019 school year at the earliest.
