The Programme for Government commits to the publication of a new Action Plan for Educational Inclusion within 12 months. It is my intention to exceed that target by publishing the plan by the end of this year.
The new plan will take into account learning from the current DEIS Programme together with international best practice to improve outcomes for children most at risk of educational disadvantage.
The new plan is expected to include targeted measures of support in the areas of school leadership, increased networking of schools and teachers and better integration of education-related supports at local level.
The number of additional schools be included in a new support programme will be determined by a new identification process for this purpose which is currently in development.