John Connolly (Galway West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The commitment in the programme for Government to establish a new DEIS plus scheme for schools is very welcome. What steps will be taken within the Department to develop that scheme? The existing scheme has been reflected on very positively by both schools and teachers who participate in what are currently considered DEIS schools and it has had independent verification of its success by reports from inspectors, among others. Some of the initiatives in the initial scheme have been extended to all schools, such as the free books and the free hot school meals programmes. What is envisaged in the new scheme?

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