Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)

I thank the Deputies for their contributions. I have visited DEIS band 1 and band 2 schools. There are some in my constituency which is an inner city one and not just all Dublin 4. There have been inequalities between various DEIS schools with some getting fewer resources than others that were previously identified as having a disadvantage and subsequently re-branded as DEIS schools. The question is about the equal treatment of pupils in those categories.

I accept there are areas of compounded social disadvantage where conditions outside the school affect the classroom. I think of some of the schools in my inner city constituency. These measures will be introduced over time and their impact reviewed. An equalisation will be in place as to how they will be implemented. The schools affected will be negotiated with on these measures much earlier than was previously the case.

At the end of the day, we must realise we are not in control of our economic destiny.

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