Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 November 2016
275. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills when he expects the review of DEIS to be completed; if consideration is being given to incorporating new programmes, either on a pilot or mainstream basis, that have been shown to be effective for children who come from disadvantaged backgrounds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35162/16]
View answerIt is my intention to publish a new Action Plan for Educational Inclusion before the end of this year.
A process to review the DEIS Programme which began last year is now nearing completion. The review is looking at all aspects of DEIS, including the range and impact of different elements of the DEIS School Support Programme, the potential for innovation within and between schools and its scope for increased integration of services provided by other Departments and Agencies, in order to improve effectiveness.
Among the measures to be included in the plan are a series of pilot schemes aimed at introducing measures which have been shown to work well in improving results for disadvantaged children and students. The plan is expected to include targeted initiatives in the areas of:
- School leadership
- School networks and clusters
- Teaching methodologies
- Integration of schools and other State supports within communities
- Greater use of Home School Community Liaison services
Implementation of actions arising from the Action Plan for Educational Inclusion will begin in the 2017/18 school year, and will be a continuing theme in our wider Annual Action Plan for Education.
Further information on the DEIS Review process is available on my Department’s website at http://www.education.ie/en/Schools-Colleges/Services/DEIS-Delivering-Equality-of-Opportunity-in-Schools-/DEIS-Review-Process-Information-Note.pdf.
