Charlie McConalogue
Ceist:259. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills if DEIS status will be awarded to a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12623/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 20 March 2018
Ceisteanna (259)
Freagraí scríofa
We have, for the first time, introduced an objective, statistics based model for deciding which schools merit inclusion in the DEIS programme, so that all stakeholders can have confidence that we are targeting extra resources at those schools with the highest concentrated levels of disadvantage. The methodology adopted to assess levels of disadvantage in schools is based on centrally held data with a uniform application across the entire school system to assess levels of disadvantage in primary and post-primary schools.
A detailed document explaining the methodology used in the identification process is available on the Department’s website at: https://www.education.ie/en/Schools-Colleges/Services/DEIS-Delivering-Equality-of-Opportunity-in-Schools-/DEIS-Identification-Process.pdf
An update of the identification model is currently under way. This will take account of updated school data as provided by schools for the current school year combined with the Pobal HP index of deprivation, based on CSO small area population statistics derived from the 2016 national census. It is envisaged that this process will be completed by the end of quarter 1 this year.
Should this exercise reveal that any school, including the school referred to by the Deputy, 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.