Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The impact of the DEIS programme has been positive. We have seen positive improvements in both literacy and numeracy in the schools but they have not closed the gap. It is clear that the programme is effective but it needs to do better.

On the question the Deputy raises, there has been no new school in the programme since 2009. It is in that year that the embargo was imposed.

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