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DEIS Scheme

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 November 2020

Tuesday, 10 November 2020

Questions (425)

Michael McNamara

Question:

425. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Education the additional resources, including staffing allocated, to all DEIS Band 1 schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34604/20]

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Written answers

DEIS - Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools, is my Department’s main policy initiative aimed at tackling educational disadvantage in primary and post primary schools.

In the 2020/21 school year there are 887 schools, including 229 DEIS Band 1 Urban primary schools, participating in the DEIS programme serving in the region of 185,000 students.

My Department will invest in the region of €125 million this year on the DEIS programme. Details of the all the supports available to DEIS Schools can be found at: https://www.education.ie/en/Schools-Colleges/Services/DEIS-Delivering-Equality-of-Opportunity-in-Schools-/DEIS-Supporting-Information/Supports-to-DEIS-Schools.html

In addition to the supports provided by my Department the majority of DEIS schools participate in the School Completion Programme (SCP) and the School Meals Programme (SMP). SCP is a key support under DEIS and the desired impact of the programme is the retention of young people to Leaving Certificate level, equivalent qualification or a suitable level of educational attainment which enables them to transition into further education, training or employment.

The objective of the SMP is to provide regular, nutritious food to children who are unabl e, due to lack of good quality food, to take full advantage of the education provided to them. Research shows the value of the provision of adequate and nutritious meals for a child's health, learning, attention and educational achievement. The programme is an important component of policies to encourage school attendance and extra educational achievement.

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