There are a total of 177 Primary Schools and 27 Post Primary Schools in County Donegal. Of these, 107 primary and 13 post primary schools avail of supports in the DEIS Programme. 60% of all primary schools and 48% of post primary schools in Donegal are in DEIS. This equates to 13.3% of all DEIS schools being based in Co. Donegal.
I wish to advise the Deputy that no school in DEIS has had a withdrawal of funding. Each school's level of funding is based on its enrolment and its level of disadvantage. Any decrease in funding provided to a school included in the DEIS Programme would be due to a drop in that school's enrolment or its level of disadvantage and not because of any policy change in funding allocation or disadvantage status.
In 2017, I was in a position to provide additional supports to 110 schools through DEIS. This was the first time since 2009 than any new school was added to DEIS. As a result, in addition to previous provision in Co. Donegal, 1 primary school got Urban Band 1 status for the first time while 2 further Primary schools were upgraded from Band 2 to Band 1 status. 18 primary schools that were designated as DEIS rural were also brought into the programme for the first time together with an additional Post Primary school.
Since the end of 2011/12 school year, the SNA allocation in Co Donegal has increased from 471.44 to 731.39, a percentage increase of over 55%.
The Special Education Teaching allocation in Co Donegal has increased from 358.46 posts at the end of the 2011/12 school year, to 497.5 posts in the current 2017/18 school year. This amounts to an increase of 38%.
The Deputy may also wish to note that my Department provides a Minor Works Grant to all schools on a yearly basis, based on enrolment. This funding allows minor works to be carried out on the physical infrastructure of schools or on the purchase of items of furniture and equipment.