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DEIS Scheme

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 November 2018

Tuesday, 13 November 2018

Questions (227)

Catherine Martin

Question:

227. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he has given consideration to the provision of an extra payment or allowance for teachers who remain teaching in DEIS schools for more than a five-year period in order to encourage the retention of experienced teachers in such schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46672/18]

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Written answers

As the Deputy is aware, DEIS is my Department’s main policy initiative to tackle educational disadvantage. DEIS Plan 2017 has as its third goal - To improve the capacity of school leaders and teachers to engage, plan and deploy resources to their best advantage. Schools who have been designated as DEIS are provided with a range of additional supports under the School Support Programme (SSP) including lower class sizes for those schools with the highest levels of disadvantage. Administrative principals are also allocated on a lower enrolment and staffing figures than apply in primary schools generally and post primary schools have an enhanced guidance allocation. Teachers in DEIS schools also have priority access to CPD and the Centre for School Leadership.

Success in education is built inter alia on the quality of leadership and ingenuity in teaching and we are fortunate in Ireland to attract high calibre people to the fields of teaching and training who deliver to high standards. As Minister for Education and Skills, I acknowledge the commitment shown by all teachers, in particular those in DEIS schools. However, I wish to advise the Deputy that at the present time, my Department is not considering the provision of an extra allowance for teachers in DEIS schools.

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