Seán Sherlock
Question:421. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Education the number of retainers her Department has with outside organisations; and the cost of each retainer, in tabular form. [16147/22]
View answerDepartmental Data
Questions (421)
Written answers
My Department makes payments to a range of suppliers and service providers as part its normal day to day work. Payments are generally made on foot of agreed contractual arrangements and in accordance with the guidelines pertaining to expenditure by Government departments. Contractual arrangements may dictate that an up-front or once-off payment be made at the commencement of a contract.
My Department does not generally pay retainers as part of its operations and its Financial Management System does not identify such payments.
Education Policy
Questions (422)
Ruairí Ó Murchú
Question:422. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Education the status of an intradepartmental working group established in regard to planning for the development of a new policy for Irish-medium education outside the Gaeltacht; the meeting schedule for 2022; the expected timeframe for the completion of the work programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16164/22]
View answerWritten answers
Planning work is under way in my Department in relation to the development of a new policy for Irish-medium Education outside of Gaeltacht areas. An intradepartmental working group was established within my Department in 2021 to progress this work. This working group has met on a monthly basis since its establishment.
The working group has focused on developing a consultation process to encourage the widespread participation of interested parties to inform the policy development process. It will also oversee the carrying out of a review of national and international literature. The working group will continue to meet regularly.
I am looking forward to progressing this important work and building on the positive results being achieved already in the implementation of the Policy on Gaeltacht Education to strengthen Irish-medium education. I am also looking forward to working with relevant interested parties to progress the various steps that are necessary to develop the policy.
Educational Reform
Questions (423)
Ruairí Ó Murchú
Question:423. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Education the expected timeframe for the review of national and international literature; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16165/22]
View answerWritten answers
In order to inform the development by my Department of a new policy for Irish-medium education outside of Gaeltacht areas, it is intended to carry out a review of national and international literature. A competitive tender process will be carried out to procure research services to carry out this review. Work is currently being completed on tender documentation and a Request for Tenders is expected to issue next month.
Question No. 424 answered with Question No. 419.
Question No. 425 answered with Question No. 410.
School Accommodation
Questions (426)
Alan Dillon
Question:426. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Education if she will provide a list of all active school accommodation projects in County Mayo, in tabular form; the details of projects currently under consideration; the status of each project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16299/22]
View answerWritten answers
Under Project Ireland 2040, the education sector will receive a total of approximately €4.4 billion capital investment over the period 2021-2025. This significant investment allows us to move forward with certainty on our ambitious plans and deliver high quality building projects, with a real focus on sustainability, for school communities across Ireland. This investment will build on the good progress being made on adding capacity to cater for demographic changes and provision for children with special educational needs. This investment will also facilitate an increased focus on the modernisation of existing school stock and help transition the school system for an era of net zero carbon by 2050.
During the period 2018 to 2021 691 school building projects were completed which delivered in excess of 64,000 school places. 29 of these projects are in Co. Mayo.
There is a large pipeline of projects for delivery under the school building programme. The main elements of this pipeline currently involve in excess of 1,200 school building projects for delivery under the Department’s Large Scale and Additional Accommodation Scheme. These projects are currently in progress across the various stages of planning, design, tender and construction. Most of which are expected to be either under construction or completed in the period up to 2025.
There are currently in excess of 250 school building projects at construction (on site) with a continuous stream of other projects at or near the tendering stage. These are being progressed as quickly as possible. It is anticipated that 150 to 200 school building projects will be completed annually during the 2022 to 2025 period.
The current status of projects being delivered is listed on a county by county basis on www.gov.ie and is updated on a monthly basis to reflect their progress through the various stages.
School Accommodation
Questions (427)
Alan Dillon
Question:427. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Education the status of the approval for additional accommodation at a school (details supplied); the recent communication that has taken place with the school on the application; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16300/22]
View answerWritten answers
I can confirm to the Deputy, that my Department recently approved additional accommodation for the school in question, under my Department's Additional School Accommodation Scheme (ASA). The school authorities have been notified directly of this approval.
The purpose of the ASA scheme is to ensure that essential mainstream classroom and Special Education Needs (SEN) accommodation is available to cater for pupils enrolled each year, where the need cannot be met by the school’s existing accommodation.
At primary level, this situation generally arises to cater for a school’s accommodation requirements where an additional teaching post has been sanctioned by Teacher Allocations Section, or a new SEN class has been sanctioned by the NCSE, and all available alternative accommodation within the school is already being used for classroom purposes.
At primary level, this situation generally arises to cater for a school’s accommodation requirements where an additional teaching post has been sanctioned by Teacher Allocations Section, or a new SEN class has been sanctioned by the NCSE, and all available alternative accommodation within the school is already being used for classroom purposes.
School Accommodation
Questions (428)
Alan Dillon
Question:428. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Education if her Department's forward planning unit has identified additional accommodation requirements in County Mayo; the likely trends or areas of increased demand in the county; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16301/22]
View answerWritten answers
I wish to advise the Deputy, that my Department is aware of increasing local pressures and demand for additional school places in a number of school planning areas, including within Mayo.
However, it is important to note that where enrolment pressures arise, it may not be as a result of lack of accommodation but may be driven by the following factors:
Duplication of applications – pupils have applied for a place to a number of schools in the area;
School of choice – pupils can’t get a place in their preferred school while there are places in other schools in the town/area;
Some towns/areas have single sex schools and while places are available in the school they are not available to all pupils; and
External draw – pupils coming from outside the local area.
My Department is working to establish the true extent of any capacity issues through ongoing discussions with the relevant school authorities. In that context, similar to the process adopted in advance of the current academic year, my Department is engaging with patron bodies, including those of schools in Mayo, to identify particular capacity requirements for the forthcoming year(s) which may necessitate further action to that already in train.
Under Project Ireland 2040, my Department continues to make progress to increase the infrastructural capacity in the schools sector, in order to meet demographic and other demands. It is expected that the enrolment pressures in this, and other areas will reduce in the short-term as such planned additional capacity comes on stream and as demographic demand moves past its peak.
The Capital Programme details the school projects that are being progressed under Project Ireland 2040. The current status of large-scale projects being delivered under Project Ireland 2040, including projects in the school planning areas in question, may be viewed on my Department's website at, www.gov.ie and this information is updated regularly. In addition, a list of large-scale projects completed from 2010 to date may also be viewed on the website.
The Capital Programme also provides for devolved funding for additional classrooms, including accommodation for pupils with special educational needs, if required, for schools where an additional enrolment need has been identified or where an additional teacher has been appointed. Details of schools listed on this programme (the Additional Accommodation Scheme) can be found on my Department's website at www.gov.ie and this information is also updated regularly.
Special Educational Needs
Questions (429)
Seán Fleming
Question:429. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Education the proactive measurers that are currently being taken by her Department to ensure that all post-primary schools have special classes in view of the number of students transferring from primary schools with special classes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16302/22]
View answerWritten answers
Enabling children with special educational needs to receive an education is a priority for this Government.
This year, my Department will spend in excess of €2 Billion, or over 25% of the Department’s budget on providing a wide range of schemes and supports for children with special educational needs.
This includes additional teaching and care supports.
As a result, the number of special education teachers, special needs assistants and special class and school places are at unprecedented levels.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has responsibility for coordinating and advising on the education provision for children with special educational needs nationwide.
Over the last two years, my Department and the NCSE have worked closely on a more streamlined and joined up planning process which has ensured a targeted approach to meet demand for special needs placements ahead of each new school-year.
I am satisfied that this more joined up approach is delivering. Through this intensive intervention, we have seen an additional 300 special classes (primary and post-primary), providing 1,800 new places, opened nationwide for the 2021/22 school-year. Budget 2022 also provides for the creation of 287 additional special classes for the 2022/2023 school year. These additional classes will provide over 1,700 new places from September next.
I also acknowledge that notwithstanding the extent of this investment, there are some parts of the country where increases in population and other issues have led to concerns regarding a shortage of school places.
The NCSE has well established structures in place for engaging with schools and parents and seeks to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all children who have been identified as needing special class placements.
The NCSE is currently engaging in a process of establishing new classes for the 2022/2023 school year and beyond. Both my Department and the NCSE are always grateful to schools who express a willingness to open a special class to meet the educational needs of students in their local communities. It is of course open to any school to engage with the NCSE to establish a special class.
There are Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs) located across the country and they have a specific remit in helping and supporting parents in accessing the education necessary for their children, including in identifying suitable school placements.
The Deputy may be aware that Minister Foley and I recently announced the establishment of a new special school in Cork together with an update on the expansion of existing special class and special school capacity in Cork and Dublin.
In line with the demographics and as part of forward planning, it is envisaged that special classes will be required at most, if not all, post-primary schools.
A range of measures to meet additional SEN capacity demands have already been put in place including the utilisation of spare capacity in existing schools and delivery of additional SEN capacity within the scope of existing building projects.
Additionally, it is general practice to include a SEN Base in the accommodation brief for new school buildings, unless exceptional local circumstances indicate that it will not be required. The extent of provision made at these schools is informed by the level of demand in the area as well as the size of the school.
My Department, together with the NCSE, is monitoring the availability of places for students with special educational needs throughout the country as a priority issue and will continue to work with relevant stakeholders to ensure a supply of placements coming on stream to meet emerging demand.
I want to reassure the Deputy that my Department will continue to support the NCSE and schools through the provision of the necessary funding and capital investment to ensure all children and young people are successful in accessing an education.
Special Educational Needs
Questions (430)
Seán Fleming
Question:430. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Education if she will provide details regarding special classes in secondary schools at a location (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16303/22]
View answerWritten answers
Enabling children with special educational needs to receive an education is a priority for this Government.
This year, my Department will spend in excess of €2 Billion, or over 25% of the Department’s budget on providing a wide range of schemes and supports for children with special educational needs.
This includes additional teaching and care supports.
As a result, the number of special education teachers, special needs assistants and special class and school places are at unprecedented levels.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has responsibility for coordinating and advising on the education provision for children with special educational needs nationwide.
Over the last two years, my Department and the NCSE have worked closely on a more streamlined and joined up planning process which has ensured a targeted approach to meet demand for special needs placements ahead of each new school-year.
I am satisfied that this more joined up approach is delivering. Through this intensive intervention, we have seen an additional 300 special classes, providing 1,800 new places, opened nationwide for the 2021/22 school-year.
I also acknowledge that notwithstanding the extent of this investment, there are some parts of the country where increases in population and other issues have led to concerns regarding a shortage of school places.
The NCSE has well established structures in place for engaging with schools and parents and seeks to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all children who have been identified as needing special class placements.
Budget 2022 provided for the creation of 287 additional special classes for the 2022/2023 school year. These additional classes will provide over 1,700 new places from September next.
The NCSE is currently engaging in a process of establishing new classes for the 2022/2023 school year and beyond. Both my Department and the NCSE are always grateful to schools who express a willingness to open a special class to meet the educational needs of students in their local communities. It is of course open to any school to engage with the NCSE to establish a special class.
There are Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs) located across the country and they have a specific remit in helping and supporting parents in accessing the education necessary for their children, including in identifying suitable school placements.
I want to reassure the Deputy that my Department will continue to support the NCSE and schools through the provision of the necessary funding and capital investment to ensure all children are successful in accessing an education.
Information on the list of schools with special classes, the type and location of these classes is published on the NCSE website and is available at ncse.ie/special-classes.
School Patronage
Questions (431)
Neasa Hourigan
Question:431. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Education when the review of the decision that was made in 2021, to defer the patronage process for a new secondary school in the Drumcondra, Marino, Dublin 1 school planning area, which is planned for 2022, is expected to be completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16305/22]
View answerWritten answers
I wish to advise the Deputy that plans for the establishment of 47 new schools (primary and post-primary) since 2018, have been announced in areas of population growth. 36 of these new schools have been established up to 2021 academic year, 21 Primary schools and 15 Post-primary schools. The timing and need for the remaining schools was being kept under review. Following such a review recently, a determination was made to expand two existing post-primary schools in North Dublin City in lieu of the establishment of the previously announced new post primary school for the Drumcondra_Marino_D1 school planning area.
Schools Building Projects
Questions (432)
Michael Lowry
Question:432. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education the status of an ongoing building project for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16362/22]
View answerWritten answers
The school to which the Deputy refers was granted approval under my Department's Additional Accommodation Scheme 2020 for 2 Mainstream Classrooms with Assisted User WCs and 1 SET room.
On 30 March 2021, an approval letter issued to school authorities indicating permission to proceed to planning. The Department is currently in regular direct contact with the school as further information in regard to the planning application is awaited from the school.
Grant Payments
Questions (433)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:433. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education if a grant for funding will be provided for a student (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16367/22]
View answerWritten answers
Under the Assistive Technology scheme, as set out in my Department’s Circular 0010/2013, funding is provided to schools towards the cost of computers and specialist equipment, which are required for educational purposes.
All equipment provided under this scheme supports children with more complex disabilities who, in order to access the school curriculum, require essential specialist equipment.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs) is responsible for processing applications from schools for special educational needs supports. SENOs also make recommendations to my Department where assistive technology/specialised equipment is required. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in making recommendations for support.
In order to qualify for equipment under the assistive technology scheme, a student must have been diagnosed with a physical or communicative disability and must also have a recommendation in a professional assessment that the equipment is essential in order to allow the student to access the curriculum.
It must also be clear that the existing I.T. equipment in the school is insufficient to meet the child's needs. Where necessary, schools may also purchase new or additional equipment or software for students from normal school resources or funds.
Schools make applications directly to the SENO, providing details of the student’s special educational needs or disability, including details of the approach taken by the school in making relevant interventions.
SENOs will review the application, and professional reports provided in support of same, in order to establish whether the criteria of the scheme have been met. They will then make a recommendation to my Department as to whether or not assistive technology is required; and based on this recommendation, my Department will decide on the level of grant, if any, to be provided.
The type of equipment provided under the assistive technology scheme is varied, and includes audiological supports for students with hearing impairment, braille equipment for children with visual impairment, and computer equipment with associated modified software for students with physical or severe communicative disabilities.
Communication devices or medical or therapy related devices which are not specific educational interventions or equipment specifically required as essential for school educational access, and which have a general application outside of school, are not provided for under the Assistive Technology scheme, however. Such equipment is normally provided for children with disabilities by the Health Service Executive (HSE).
Based on the professional information provided to the SENO and in line with criteria set out in Circular 10/2013, the SENO was not in a position to recommend an Assistive Technology grant for the school concerned on behalf of the student.
I can confirm that an appeal for assistive technology for the pupil named by the deputy was recently received in my Department and is currently being reviewed.
Departmental Consultations
Questions (434)
Carol Nolan
Question:434. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education the external consultancy organisation or provider which delivered diversity and inclusion training within her Department in each of the years 2018 to 2021 and to date in 2022; the costs associated with such services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16371/22]
View answerWritten answers
My Department actively supports Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) in the workplace through a number of initiatives for staff to promote the EDI conversation in the Department. In terms of costs associated with such initiatives, to date in 2022, my Department has not engaged the services of any external consultancy organisation or provider to deliver EDI training. In 2021, my Department engaged Lucy Michael Research, Training and Consultancy in 2021 to deliver training on the consideration and impact of EDI in developing and implementing policy at a cost of €4,920.
From 2018-2020 my Department did not pay for the services of any external consultancy organisation or provider in respect of the provision of EDI training. All initiatives, such as Lunch-and-Learn events for staff on issues such as mental health, LGBT+ inclusion in the workplace and historical barriers to women's participation in public life, were organised by the Human Resources (HR) Unit of my Department and were provided free of charge either by not-for-profit organisations or by a serving Civil Servant.
The HR Unit also circulates resources on an ongoing basis to staff members on EDI issues and with details of any talks/seminars relating to EDI initiatives being hosted by other organisations.
Question No. 435 answered with Question No. 419.
School Transport
Questions (436)
Jackie Cahill
Question:436. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Education for an update on the recent meeting between her Department officials and members of a transport organisation (details supplied) regarding the soaring cost of fuel prices and the potential impact that this could have on the continued operation of school bus routes in view of the fact #that this is placing school transport providers under enormous financial pressure; the reason that the organisation was told that it would hear back from her Department but this has not yet happened; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16443/22]
View answerWritten answers
School Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the current school year over 121,400 children, including over 15,500 children with special educational needs, are transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country at a cost of over €289m in 2021.
The purpose of the Department's School Transport Scheme is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children who reside remote from their nearest school.
Bus Éireann is obliged to tender all works, goods and services to be provided by external suppliers in line with national and EU procurement legislation and this includes services provided by contractors under the School Transport Scheme. Compliant tenders are evaluated against published award criteria. Successful tenderers are awarded a contract for up to five years.
The Department of Education is considering in consultation with other relevant departments and Bus Éireann the implications that increasing fuel costs may have on the provision of school transport services. The Department is also very aware of the potential impact of the current situation unfolding in Ukraine which is impacting fuel prices further.
Government has announced a reduction in excise on fuel will result in a decrease in the cost of fuel. The reduction of 20 cent per litre on petrol and 15 cent per litre on diesel will be in place until 31 August at an estimated cost of €320m. This is a national measure aimed at easing the financial burden on contractors and families at this time.
Officials from School Transport Section of the Department of Education hold quarterly meetings with members of the Organisation referred to by the Deputy and this issue was recently discussed between both parties. School Transport Section will continue to communicate any updates on this matter directly to the members of the Organisation concerned.
Capital Expenditure Programme
Questions (437)
Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire
Question:437. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education the funding allocated under the large scale capital programme for each of the years 2022 to 2025, as per the agreed capital ceilings outlined in the national development plan. [16472/22]
View answerWritten answers
Under Project Ireland 2040, the education sector will receive a total of approximately €4.4 billion capital investment over the period 2021-2025.
|
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
2025 |
TOTAL |
|
|
€m |
€m |
€m |
€m |
€m |
€bn |
|
|
NDP Allocation |
740 |
793 |
860 |
940 |
1040 |
4.4 |
This significant investment allows us to move forward with certainty on our ambitious plans and deliver high quality building projects, with a real focus on sustainability, for school communities across Ireland. This investment will also build on the good progress being made on adding capacity to cater for demographic changes and provision for children with special educational needs. This investment will also facilitate an increased focus on the modernisation of existing school stock and help transition the school system for an era of net zero carbon by 2050.
My Departments Capital planning and budgeting is undertaken on a multi-annual basis and provides an inclusive allocation to all school projects on the School Building Programme. In excess of 80% of funding is allocated towards Large Scale projects, Additional Accommodation Scheme, and Site acquisition which is ensuring provision of additional capacity across the school system.
The capital allocation for my Department in 2022 is €792.4m of which €695m has been assigned to the School Building Programme. Supplementary accommodations (school halls, new canteen facilities, new laboratories) are incorporated into overall project delivery. Furthermore €65 million has been allocated to fund 497 Summer Works Scheme projects for delivery in 2022.
The 2021 capital allocation for the School Building Programme was €665.5m. A further €156m was sanctioned for the School Building Programme through the Supplementary Estimate process and from savings in other subheads due to the strong spend and delivery on this programme. This funding also facilitated the provision of a €62 million enhanced Minor Works Grants to Primary and Post Primary schools to assist schools with the continued operation of schools in the Covid environment.
Currently there are approximately 1,200 school building projects for delivery under the Department’s Large Scale and Additional Accommodation Scheme. These projects are currently in progress across the various stages of planning, design, tender and construction - most of which are expected to be either under construction or completed in the period up to 2025. There are currently in excess of 250 school building projects at construction (on site) with a continuous stream of other projects at or near the tendering stage.
Additional information, including the current status of projects being delivered, is listed on a county by county basis on www.gov.ie and is updated on a monthly basis to reflect their progress through the various stages.
School Accommodation
Questions (438)
Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire
Question:438. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education the funding allocated under the additional school accommodation scheme for each of the years 2022 to 2025 as per the agreed capital ceilings outlined in the national development plan. [16473/22]
View answerWritten answers
Under Project Ireland 2040, the education sector will receive a total of approximately €4.4 billion capital investment over the period 2021-2025.
|
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
2025 |
TOTAL |
|
|
€m |
€m |
€m |
€m |
€m |
€bn |
|
|
NDP Allocation |
740 |
793 |
860 |
940 |
1040 |
4.4 |
This significant investment allows us to move forward with certainty on our ambitious plans and deliver high quality building projects, with a real focus on sustainability, for school communities across Ireland. This investment will also build on the good progress being made on adding capacity to cater for demographic changes and provision for children with special educational needs. This investment will also facilitate an increased focus on the modernisation of existing school stock and help transition the school system for an era of net zero carbon by 2050.
My Departments Capital planning and budgeting is undertaken on a multi-annual basis and provides an inclusive allocation to all school projects on the School Building Programme. In excess of 80% of funding is allocated towards Large Scale projects, Additional Accommodation Scheme, and Site acquisition which is ensuring provision of additional capacity across the school system. Specific scheme allocations are determined annually.
The capital allocation for my Department in 2022 is €792.4m of which €695m has been assigned to the School Building Programme. Supplementary accommodations (school halls, new canteen facilities, new laboratories) are incorporated into overall project delivery. Furthermore €65 million has been allocated to fund 497 Summer Works Scheme projects for delivery in 2022.
The 2021 capital allocation for the School Building Programme was €665.5m. A further €156m was sanctioned for the School Building Programme through the Supplementary Estimate process and from savings in other subheads due to the strong spend and delivery on this programme. This funding also facilitated the provision of a €62 million enhanced Minor Works Grants to Primary and Post Primary schools to assist schools with the continued operation of schools in the Covid environment.
During the period 2018 to 2021 circa €440m has been spent on the Additional Accommodation Scheme, an average of €110m a year.
Currently there are approximately 1,200 school building projects for delivery under the Department’s Large Scale and Additional Accommodation Scheme. These projects are currently in progress across the various stages of planning, design, tender and construction - most of which are expected to be either under construction or completed in the period up to 2025. There are currently in excess of 250 school building projects at construction (on site) with a continuous stream of other projects at or near the tendering stage.
Additional information, including the current status of projects being delivered, is listed on a county by county basis on www.gov.ie and is updated on a monthly basis to reflect their progress through the various stages.
Education Schemes
Questions (439)
Matt Carthy
Question:439. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Education the reason a school (details supplied) was not selected for inclusion in DEIS; if this decision will be reviewed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16475/22]
View answerWritten answers
I announced on the 9th March, 2022 the expansion of the DEIS programme benefitting 347 schools. These schools were identified as having the highest levels of educational disadvantage. In the 2022/23 academic year there will be 1,194 schools in the DEIS Programme - 960 Primary and 234 Post Primary. This will also mean a €32million increase in my Department's expenditure on DEIS programme from 2023. This is the largest ever increase in investment in the programme and will extend DEIS status to schools serving the highest proportions of pupils at risk of educational disadvantage.
This announcement follows an extensive body of work by the DEIS technical group to develop the refined DEIS identification model to identify the concentrated levels of disadvantage of schools. Schools were identified for inclusion in the programme through the refined DEIS identification model which is an objective, statistics based model which uses information from the Department of Education enrolment databases and the Pobal HP Deprivation index. The DEIS identification model now takes into consideration the significant educational disadvantage experienced by Traveller and Roma learners and by students residing in direct provision or emergency homeless accommodation. Schools were not required to apply for inclusion in the DEIS programme and the model has been applied fairly and equally to all schools.
Schools that have not been included in the DEIS programme at this time will have an opportunity to have that decision reviewed. My Department will provide further information in the coming days on this appeals process on my Department’s website.
Education Schemes
Questions (440)
Matt Carthy
Question:440. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Education the reason a school (details supplied) was not selected for inclusion in DEIS; if this decision will be reviewed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16476/22]
View answerWritten answers
I announced on the 9th March, 2022 the expansion of the DEIS programme benefitting 347 schools. These schools were identified as having the highest levels of educational disadvantage. In the 2022/23 academic year there will be 1,194 schools in the DEIS Programme - 960 Primary and 234 Post Primary. This will also mean a €32million increase in my Department's expenditure on DEIS programme from 2023. This is the largest ever increase in investment in the programme and will extend DEIS status to schools serving the highest proportions of pupils at risk of educational disadvantage.
This announcement follows an extensive body of work by the DEIS technical group to develop the refined DEIS identification model to identify the concentrated levels of disadvantage of schools. Schools were identified for inclusion in the programme through the refined DEIS identification model which is an objective, statistics based model which uses information from the Department of Education enrolment databases and the Pobal HP Deprivation index. The DEIS identification model now takes into consideration the significant educational disadvantage experienced by Traveller and Roma learners and by students residing in direct provision or emergency homeless accommodation. Schools were not required to apply for inclusion in the DEIS programme and the model has been applied fairly and equally to all schools.
Schools that have not been included in the DEIS programme at this time will have an opportunity to have that decision reviewed. My Department will provide further information in the coming days on this appeals process on my Department’s website.