Disadvantaged Status

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 November 2012

Tuesday, 6 November 2012

Ceisteanna (297)

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

297. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a school (details supplied) in County Donegal no longer qualifies for DEIS status despite considerable levels of economic disadvantage in the area as a result of the decline in the main industry in the locality; if he considered the level of economic disadvantage of the area in determining the appeal of the vocational education committee in relation to the allocation of WTEs for the school; his plans to carry out a full assessment of the needs of the school in terms of supports for disadvantaged students in view of the relatively recent decline of the main industry of the town; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47608/12]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

Following an independent identification process in 2005, 875 schools were selected for inclusion in DEIS (Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools), the Department's initiative to combat educational disadvantage.

The school to which the Deputy refers was among a number of schools that was judged not to have a sufficient level of disadvantage to warrant inclusion in DEIS. Furthermore, an appeal by this school to the independent review body confirmed that the level of disadvantage did not warrant the school's inclusion in the DEIS process.

Staffing arrangements for post-primary schools is set out in circular 0009/12, which includes an appeals mechanism under which schools/VECs can appeal against the allocation due to them. The appeal board operates independently of the Department and its decisions are final. The level of economic disadvantage is not a criteria in determining appeals by schools/VECs under the appeals process.

With regard to an assessment of schools, a key priority for my Department is to prioritise and target resources in schools with the most concentrated levels of educational disadvantage. That challenge is significant given the current economic climate and the target to reduce public expenditure. This also limits the capacity for any additionality in the DEIS programme and in this context I have no immediate plans to undertake the type of assessment to which the Deputy refers.