Niamh Smyth
Ceist:82. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Education and Skills when successful DEIS applications will be announced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3546/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 24 January 2018
Ceisteanna (82, 83)
Niamh Smyth
Ceist:83. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of an application for DEIS by a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3547/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 82 and 83 together.
There is no application process for DEIS therefore schools are not required to apply for assessment in DEIS. Every primary and post-primary school was assessed as part of the DEIS Identification process provided under DEIS Plan 2017. Full details of the methodology used is available at https://www.education.ie/en/Schools-Colleges/Services/DEIS-Delivering-Equality-of-Opportunity-in-Schools-/DEIS-Identification-Process.pdf.
A further assessment of all schools is currently underway. This will take account of updated school data combined with the updated Pobal HP Index of Deprivation, based on Small Area Population statistics derived from the 2016 National Census.
Should this exercise reveal that any school, which did not qualify for DEIS in 2017, meets the criteria applicable to schools with the highest concentration of disadvantage based on the updated information then additional schools may be included subject to available resources.