I propose to take Questions Nos. 584 and 585 together.
As the Deputy is aware, I have recently commenced a process to renew the DEIS programme. The review process involves a number of strands including:
- a consultation process with the Education Partners to inform the development of appropriate future interventions to tackle educational disadvantage;
- the establishment of an inter-Departmental Group to ensure a joined-up approach to future delivery of services in the DEIS Programme;
- the establishment of a Technical Group which is working to establish what eligibility criteria are now appropriate to re-identify the level of need in schools; and
- the establishment of a DEIS Advisory Group within my Department.
The submissions received during the consultation process are being examined and my Department will collate the main points and provide all stakeholders who participated in this process with feedback in due course.
The Technical Group, comprising of Officials from my Department and from the Educational Research Centre, is now established. The process of establishing a DEIS Advisory Group has commenced. The review of DEIS, which includes the work of the Technical Group and the DEIS Advisory Group, will take place during the course of the current school year.