Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)

First, I will outline how some schools were included while others were not. The information was provided by the schools themselves. The list was drawn up entirely objectively based on that information. It is fair to state that while some schools and areas used to be disadvantaged, they are no longer so by virtue of changing economic, employment and demographic circumstances. Similarly, some areas which had never been disadvantaged in the past are so at present. Hence, this scheme was designed to ensure that such schools were included.

In the past, the Department operated eight different schemes and very few schools were included in all of them. It is unfair to state that schools which are not included in DEIS have now lost their status because they have not. Each participating school was informed that no one would lose anything for the coming year and that subsequently, it would depend on levels of socio-economic disadvantage. I am not in the business of penalising schools which have done well and which continue to have a considerable level of disadvantage. Obviously, I wish to ensure that children receive the supports they need and this matter will be closely examined in the next few years.

Schools need not feel they have lost status. No school has done so, although some may not have moved into this new co-ordinated programme. We have all the information provided by the schools and, depending on the level of socio-economic disadvantage in the future, we will ensure that supports are maintained for such schools.

See this speech in context