Education Schemes

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 31 March 2022

Thursday, 31 March 2022

Questions (346)

Gary Gannon

Question:

346. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention has been drawn to a post-primary school (details supplied) that was given Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools, DEIS, status in 2017 that was never partnered with a college, university access office; the reason for the delay; and if the Higher Education Authority, HEA, will respond to the school request to be linked to a college. [17406/22]

Written answers

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science

I am informed by the HEA that there is extensive engagement between Higher Education Institutes (HEIs) and DEIS schools. In an analysis carried out by the Higher Education Authority (HEA) 98% of post-primary DEIS schools had links or engagement with a HEI.

The particular issue raised by the Deputy is not one that I am aware of. Where a DEIS school wishes to establish links or a partnership with a Higher Education Institution in any way, that is a matter for the school and the HEI to decide on and to progress. HEA approval is not required in such cases.

I can say that the HEA have confirmed that the school in question has already established links with 3 Universities/Colleges, namely Trinity College Dublin, University College Dublin and the National College of Art and Design.