Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 30 November 2023
99. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Education to outline the pathway to intervention services for 'at-risk' pupils attending DEIS schools in Mayo who require access to the School Completion Programme, a central element of the DEIS plan, but who are unable to access the local interventions provided by the SCP due to issues around staffing levels and governance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52842/23]
View answerThe School Completion Programme, SCP, is a central element of Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools (DEIS), a key policy initiative of my Department to address educational disadvantage at school level. The programme is funded by my Department via Tusla Education Support Service, TESS, who have overall operational responsibility for the programme. At present, management of the SCP initiatives, including the employment of staff, is managed at local level by a local Management Committee (LMC). The LMC is responsible for the oversight of the project delivery at local level, including the use of project resources and accountability for public funds.
The significant expansion of the DEIS Programme announced by me in March 2022, provided for an extension of SCP supports to additional schools now included in the DEIS programme for the first time.
Officials from my Department have been advised by TESS that from 2022, funding was approved for all schools new to DEIS in Co Mayo to facilitate these schools into SCP.
At present, there are two SCP Projects in Co Mayo. These projects include seven post-primary schools and two primary schools. There are currently four schools in Co Mayo that have not yet joined SCP.
TESS is actively engaging with Mayo Sligo Leitrim Education and Training Board (MSLETB) in relation to operational matters. TESS continue to be available to provide any further support and guidance required at SCP@tusla.ie.
Inclusion in the DEIS programme provides schools with access to a wide range of additional supports including:
• Additional funding through the DEIS grant for schools to use to support the achievement of targets set in the schools' DEIS plan is provided to all DEIS primary and post primary schools.
• Access to planning supports for all DEIS Primary and Post Primary Schools
• Priority access to continuing professional development for all DEIS Primary and Post Primary schools
• Access to the School Meals Programme for all DEIS Primary and Post Primary schools
• HSCL supports to all DEIS Urban Primary schools and DEIS Post Primary schools
• Access to the School Completion Programme for all DEIS Urban Primary schools and DEIS Post Primary schools
• Reduced pupil teacher ration for all Urban Band 1 Primary schools.
