Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I want to ensure every young person gets the support they need, particularly those who need additional support, be it through the DEIS programme, DEIS plus or any other way because we know it works. The gap in retention rates between DEIS and non-DEIS schools have halved from 16.8% to 8.4% since the programme began. We know that focus and targeted intervention works. It is about how we make sure more children benefit from it, how those children who are not in DEIS schools get that support and if further expansion of the programme is needed, that can happen. According to international studies, children at risk of educational disadvantage in Ireland have higher and better outcomes because of that targeted focus.

I also see a huge role for our youth organisations and they will come under the Department's remit. It is important the very real and tangible actions taken by our youth organisations are realised as part of this overall plan to tackle disadvantage and support those children who need it most.

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