Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the DEIS initiative for schools in areas with the highest deprivation, which is really important. However, I see this even in County Carlow in schools that I am working with now. For example, some of the schools have hot meals but they have no funding for snacks or breakfast. The supports are vital. There is the added struggle for the same students to access the public health system. They are often forced to wait years for initial assessments with therapists. While the work is great and DEIS status for schools is excellent, some schools really need more funding in that area. I know of schools in my area that I believe really need extra funding.

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