Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 June 2019
173. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a commitment with the amalgamation of three primary schools in Tuam, County Galway, has not been agreed by 1 September 2019, if DEIS band 1 status will be denied for the new school entity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25002/19]
View answer174. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Education and Skills if DEIS band 1 status can still be granted to the new single primary school in Tuam, County Galway, after 1 September 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25003/19]
View answer175. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Education and Skills if DEIS Band 1 status cannot be granted to the new single primary school in (details supplied) after 1 September 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25004/19]
View answer176. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Education and Skills if DEIS band 1 status currently held cannot be revoked or withdrawn in the event of a full amalgamation not being complete by 1 September 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25005/19]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 173 to 176, inclusive, together.
My Department’s position, taking into account the current DEIS status of the individual schools, is that on amalgamation, the newly amalgamated school will be granted DEIS Band 1 status.
In terms of future DEIS designation, the amalgamated school will be assessed on the same basis as every other school in the country with resources being allocated accordingly. Any changes in identification methodology applied to DEIS schools nationally will apply to the amalgamated school.
Officials from my Department have been in correspondence with the relevant stakeholders and have met with the person appointed by the Patron to co-ordinate the amalgamation process along with other representatives of the Diocese, to confirm the position in relation to DEIS status.
If for some reason the amalgamation does not proceed, it is important that the schools contact my Department to reverse the process.
