Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy. In March I announced, as she outlined, a major extension of the DEIS programme, which means that for the first time since 2017 the programme is being significantly expanded and eligible schools will gain access to targeted supports to address educational disadvantage. This is the largest ever single investment in the programme, at a cost of €32 million, and will extend DEIS status to schools serving the highest proportions of pupils at risk of educational disadvantage. Scoil Mhuire gan Smál in Carlow was granted DEIS band 2 status in the March announcement. From 2023, my Department will spend in the region of €180 million on the DEIS programme, which is an increase of €32 million.

This announcement follows an extensive body of work by the DEIS technical group to develop the refined DEIS identification, ID, model to identify the concentrated levels of disadvantage in schools. That is the key point: that it is concentrated levels of disadvantage in a school. All schools in the country, including the two schools raised by the Deputy, were considered for inclusion in the programme under the DEIS ID model. The model uses information from the school's individual enrolment database and 2016 national census data, as represented by the Pobal HP deprivation index.

The model takes into account the student cohort and the relative disadvantage within a given school. A detailed document outlining the refined DEIS identification model is published and available on gov.ie. The model also takes into consideration the significant educational disadvantage experienced by Traveller and Roma learners and by students residing in direct provision or emergency homeless accommodation.

Schools that were not satisfied with the outcome following the application of the model to their school enrolment data were provided with the opportunity to have that outcome reviewed. Schools were also provided with the opportunity to update their details on the Department's enrolment databases, the primary online database, POD, or post primary online database, PPOD, depending on the school. While Scoil Mhuire gan Smál in Carlow did appeal this decision, there was no change to the outcome of the initial application of the refined DEIS ID model. The DEIS appeals process was applied fairly across all appellants using an objective data-based approach and the results are final. I understand the concerns expressed by the school but I assure the Deputy that the model was correctly applied on foot of the data provided by the school.

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