Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)

I deliberately avoided using the term "disadvantaged" to label the new programme. It is called DEIS, which is delivering equality of opportunity in schools. It is all about opportunity. The word "deis" is the Irish word for opportunity, so I took it in that context. I particularly wanted to use a word that is not an acronym, because the education sector is full of acronyms. I am sure Deputy Hayes could spend from now until Christmas trying to get his head around what they all stand for.

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