Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 April 2023
258. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Education if funding is available for DEIS schools to assist with the cost of school tours; if she will consider implementing such a scheme to assist schools and parents; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19062/23]
View answerDEIS is the main policy initiative of my Department to tackle educational disadvantage at school level. Schools in the DEIS Programme are required to develop and implement three-year improvement plans as a condition of their participation in DEIS. Targets are set under key themes, such as attendance, retention, progression, literacy and numeracy, partnership, transition, well-being and examination attainment (post-primary).
My Department spends €180m annually in supporting schools in the DEIS programme, of which, over €20m is allocated to schools by way of a DEIS grant.
The DEIS grant should be utilised to attain the targets set in the school's three year improvement plan across the DEIS themes. It is a matter for the Board of Management of each school to allocate DEIS grant funding so that it targets those students deemed most in need. This may include allocating a proportion of the DEIS grant funding towards the cost of the school tour.
