Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 6 May 2010
12 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the steps she is taking to support disadvantaged children in the classroom; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18069/10]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe majority of schools include among their pupils, children with disadvantaged backgrounds. In general most schools address the individual needs of these children without recourse to additional targeted resources. Evidence has shown that disadvantage associated with poverty and social exclusion assumes a multiplier effect where the levels are highly concentrated in schools.
DEIS (Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools), the action plan for educational inclusion, provides for a standardised system for identifying levels of disadvantage and an integrated School Support Programme. As a result of the identification and review processes, 881 schools have been included in the School Support Programme under DEIS. These comprise 679 primary schools (urban and rural) and 202 second-level schools.
DEIS provides various supports for both primary and post primary schools. These include:
reduced pupil teacher ratio in primary schools in urban areas with most disadvantage;
allocation of administrative principal on lower figures than generally apply in primary schools in urban areas;
additional capitation funding based on level of disadvantage;
additional funding for schools books;
access to the School Meals Programme
access to numeracy/literacy supports and measures at primary level;
access to Home School Community Liaison services;
access to the School Completion Programme;
enhanced guidance counselling provision at post primary level;
access to planning supports;
provision for school library and librarian support in post primary schools with most disadvantage;
access to the Junior Certificate School Programme and Leaving Certificate Applied;
access to a range of professional development supports.
The renewed programme for Government reinforces my commitment to support children in DEIS schools. In particular the renewed commitment to the Junior Certificate Schools programme and the Leaving Certificate Applied will ensure that children attending the most disadvantaged Post Primary schools will continue to benefit from enhanced curricular relevance and choice as well as access to specific literacy and numeracy measures.
The main focus of my Department is to retain resources in schools participating in DEIS, as there is a need to focus targeted resources on the schools serving the most disadvantaged communities. This approach is in line with the broad thrust of the recommendations of the Comptroller and Auditor General which are set out in his report on Primary Disadvantage of 2006, which recommended that my Department should focus its educational disadvantage measures on those schools serving the most disadvantaged communities.
My Department is currently preparing for the next identification process to select schools for inclusion in DEIS. A Steering Group has been established and commenced work in January 2009 to identify the variables which best predict achievement in schools. A comprehensive consultation process to include relevant education stakeholders will be put in place before the end of 2010 to ensure that the identification process meets the needs and concerns of all stakeholders.
