Eoghan Kenny (Cork North-Central, Labour)

I appreciate the response by the Minister of State. It is extremely important that we continue to highlight the significant issues faced by children across this country and the barriers before them in education. Today the Labour Party launched our Alternative Budget 2026. A significant part of this relates to disadvantage in our school communities and in education. In our alternative budget we want to begin the phasing in of all DEIS plus with identified clusters, which would cost €3 million. We want to expand the City Connects programme to all DEIS band 1 schools, beginning with schools in DEIS plus clusters. The first year costs would be €7.2 million. We want to cut the DEIS schools class size ratio to 15:1. The phased first year costs would be €5.5 million. We want an additional 100% increase in capitation for DEIS schools. The first year cost to cover increased energy and operational costs would be €18.2 million. We want to extend the summer school meals pilot to all DEIS schools, which would be €3.2 million. We want a 10% increase in school completion programme funding, which would be €3.7 million. We want to appoint 20 additional home school community liaison positions, which would be €1.7 million. We have a significant costed plan in the Labour Party to introduce DEIS plus. That is the energy and dedication we need from this Government now to tackle disadvantaged children in this country.

I am absolutely fully aware of and appreciate the work that has been done by the Government on this, but with the announcement having been so long ago, we must make sure of this next week. I am hoping for this for the Department of Education and Youth and that when the Ministers, Deputies Donohoe and Chambers stand here next Tuesday, they will give us a clear outline as to what budget will be given towards the advancement of DEIS plus in this country. I appreciate the Minister of State's response.

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