Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 7 February 2007
329 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Education and Science when did the DEIS commence; when were schools first identified for inclusion in this programme; and the length of time this scheme will operate for. [4343/07]
Amharc ar fhreagraDEIS (Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools), the action plan for educational inclusion, which was launched on 30th May 2005, will be implemented on a phased basis over 5 years — starting during the school year 2005/2006. It aims to ensure that the educational needs of children and young people from pre-school to completion of upper second-level education (3 to 18 years) from disadvantaged communities are prioritised and effectively addressed. It will involve an additional annual investment of some €40 million on full implementation and the provision of some 300 additional posts across the education system.
The action plan provides for a standardised system for identifying levels of disadvantage and a new integrated School Support Programme (SSP). DEIS will bring together and build upon a number of existing interventions in schools with a concentrated level of disadvantage.
In the primary sector, the identification process was based on a survey carried out by the Educational Research Centre (ERC) in May 2005, from which a response rate of more than 97% was achieved.
In the case of second-level schools, the Department supplied the ERC with centrally-held data from the Post-Primary Pupils and State Examinations Commission databases.
As a result of the identification and review process, 873 schools have been included under the DEIS action plan. These comprise 670 primary schools and 203 second-level schools. Roll out of support measures to schools under the action plan commenced in 2006.
Schools which have not qualified for inclusion in DEIS and which are receiving additional resources under pre-existing schemes for addressing disadvantage, will continue to receive support in line with their level of disadvantage.
330 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Education and Science if a school (details supplied) in County Mayo applied for either the disadvantaged scheme which was in place or for inclusion in the DEIS. [4344/07]
Amharc ar fhreagra332 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Education and Science the eight separate schemes for disadvantaged primary schools which were put in place over the years; if a school (details supplied) in County Mayo ever participated in or applied for any of those schemes; and if so, the details of the participation. [4346/07]
Amharc ar fhreagra333 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Education and Science if a school (details supplied) in the primary sector in County Mayo participated in the survey carried out by the Educational Research Centre in May 2005; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4347/07]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 330, 332 and 333 together.
DEIS (Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools), the action plan for educational inclusion, provides for a standardised system for identifying levels of disadvantage and a new integrated School Support Programme (SSP).
DEIS brings together and builds upon the following pre-existing interventions in schools with a concentrated level of disadvantage:
Giving Children an Even Break (GCEB)
Breaking the Cycle (BTC)
Early Start
Support Teacher Project
Disadvantaged Areas Scheme (DAS)
Home/School/Community Liaison Scheme (HSCL)
School Completion Programme (SCP)
Free Books Grant Scheme
The process of identifying schools for participation in DEIS was managed by the Educational Research Centre (ERC) on behalf of my Department and supported by quality assurance work co-ordinated through the Department's regional offices and the Inspectorate. In the primary sector, the identification process was based on a survey carried out by the ERC in May 2005, from which a response rate of more than 97% was achieved.
The school to which the Deputy refers participated in the survey but was not identified for inclusion in DEIS. A review mechanism was also put in place to address the concerns of schools that did not qualify for inclusion in DEIS but regarded themselves as having a level of disadvantage which was of a scale sufficient to warrant their inclusion in the programme. The review process operated under the direction of an independent person, charged with ensuring that all relevant identification processes and procedures were properly followed in the case of schools applying for a review.
The closing date for receipt of review applications was 31 March, 2006. The Group submitted a report and the review is now concluded. Schools who applied for a review were informed of the outcome in August, 2006. The school to which the Deputy refers did not apply for review.
Schools which have not qualified for inclusion in DEIS and which are receiving additional resources under pre-existing schemes for addressing disadvantage, can be assured that they will continue to receive support in line with their level of disadvantage. The school referred to by the Deputy received funding under GCEB and retains that level of funding in the current school year.
331 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Education and Science when was the classification of disadvantaged status for schools first introduced; and the length of time it has been operational. [4345/07]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Disadvantaged Areas Scheme commenced in 1984. The scheme is being integrated into the new action plan for educational inclusion, DEIS (Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools) which I launched last year.
DEIS provides for a standardised system for identifying levels of disadvantage and a new integrated School Support Programme and will bring together, and build upon, a number of existing interventions in schools with a concentrated level of disadvantage.
334 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Education and Science the primary schools in County Mayo that did not participate in the survey carried out by the Educational Research Centre in May 2005; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4348/07]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe process of identifying schools for participation in DEIS was managed by the Educational Research Centre (ERC) on behalf of my Department and supported by quality assurance work co-ordinated through the Department's regional offices and the Inspectorate. In the primary sector, the identification process was based on a survey carried out by the ERC in May 2005, from which a response rate of more than 97% was achieved.
In Mayo, 170 primary schools returned their survey to the ERC from a total of 179 primary schools within the county in the school year 2004/2005. As a result of the identification process and subsequent review, 68 primary schools in Mayo have been included in the School Support Programme and nearly 20% of all schools in the rural strand of the programme are in Mayo.
