Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 December 2015
512. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will reconsider her decision not to award delivering equality of opportunity in schools status to a school (details supplied) in County Mayo; if not, the reason why, given that nine feeder schools have this status; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44703/15]
View answerThe school in question was established on 1st September 2011 following the amalgamation of a DEIS post-primary school and non-DEIS post-primary school. In accordance with the approach adopted in relation to all such amalgamations, additional non-teaching resources are provided by my Department in respect of eligible pupils from the former DEIS school by way of continued support for the targeted cohort of pupils as a transitional measure. In the case of a post primary school, these supports continue to be supplied for 6 years following the amalgamation.
The Deputy may also be aware that a process for the review of the DEIS Programme is currently underway in my Department. This process is being undertaken over the course of the current school year and will consider all issues pertaining to educational disadvantage in order to inform future policy direction in this important area. While this process is underway, I do not intend to make any changes to the current programme.
