Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 July 2014
270. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Education and Skills the circumstances in which a school (details supplied) in County Mayo lost its DEIS status; the actions taken by her Department to communicate this to the school; if she will review the decision in view of the level of disadvantage in the school catchment area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30685/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra271. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Education and Skills the circumstances in which a school (details supplied) in County Mayo lost its DEIS status; the actions taken by her Department to communicate this to the school; if she will review the decision in view of the level of disadvantage in the school catchment area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30686/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 270 and 271 together.
As the Deputy will be aware, Coláiste Pobal Acla was established in 2011 following the amalgamation of Scoil Damhnait (a non-DEIS school) and McHale College (a DEIS school).
In the case of an amalgamation involving DEIS and non-DEIS schools, DEIS status does not transfer to the newly amalgamated school. However, it is the practice of the Department to continue with the provision of DEIS supports under the DEIS programme to the newly amalgamated school in respect of the number of eligible pupils from the former DEIS school/s. Coláiste Pobal Acla continues to be supported in respect of the students from the former DEIS school in the same way as other amalgamated schools in similar circumstances. My Department has been in communication with County Mayo Education and Training Board on a number of occasions to clarify the status of Coláiste Pobail Acla in relation to the DEIS programme.
The current economic climate and the challenge to meet significant targets on reducing public expenditure limits opportunities and means that there is no capacity to extend the DEIS programme.
