Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

There is not much the Deputy is saying that I disagree with. I have acknowledged the need for it. I have met with many of the principals who have presented their experience to me. It is important if we are to make any changes, amendments or additions to DEIS, that we have an overall look at DEIS, how it is working, where it is working well and where there are opportunities to do things differently. If I did not do that, it would also be a dereliction.

We have a scheme, at a cost of more than €180 million, that we know is working well in many instances but we also know there is scope to do things differently. Those compiling the OECD report were here for a considerable period throughout the summer. They engaged with a number of different schools, principals, and a number of different bodies, agencies and organisations on how we can do things differently. It will be an independent report that will be completed as quickly as possible. As I said, we have introduced many other measures in both budget 2023 and budget 2024 that support schools but, in the interim, when the OECD completes this body of work, it will give us a pathway forward as regards much of what the Deputy highlighted.

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