Mairéad Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
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Gabhaim buíochas leis an gCathaoirleach agus leis an Aire. Gabhaim buíochas léi as teacht os comhair an choiste seo.

I appreciate that the Minister has come before the committee to discuss these Estimates. It is really important that Ministers make themselves available.

I want to talk about STEM funding. A significant number of people contacted me about this matter. School principals had put a huge amount of work into applying for this funding. Some said that they felt it was very rushed towards the end. Of course, they also say that the funding was very welcome. The point that many of the schools raised with me was the fact that no DEIS schools in Galway city received funding. I will quote from a letter I got from a school principal. It states:

I am somewhat aghast at the thought that the STEM budget was so greatly expanded and yet our school failed to register in the STEM awards. The explanation regarding the choosing of schools is unclear. Can I ask at what stage did we fall in the criteria? I am asking today is there any sort of appeal process. We have been a DEIS school since DEIS came into existence and I notice that no DEIS band 1 school in Galway city was chosen. Surely the education gap will continue if DEIS schools are not considered in these awards.

People will say it is obviously very positive that there is a fund. I heard what the Minister said in that regard. Focusing specifically on DEIS schools and the additional supports required for them, will she respond to the comments made by the principal to whom I refer?