Kathleen Funchion (Carlow-Kilkenny, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

This matter relates to Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools, DEIS, status for Scoil Mhuire gan Smál in Carlow town. The response will mention the number of schools, including in my constituency, that entered the DEIS system, which is welcome. However, this school's situation is unique in that it is literally adjoining St. Joseph's National School, which was granted DEIS 1 status in the recent round. The two schools are identical in respect of criteria set out for eligibility and share a campus. Pupils in both schools come from the same socioeconomic area and, in many cases, the same families. The only difference is the gender of the schools. One is for boys and one is for girls.

St. Joseph's DEIS band 1 status is needed and welcome and I am not trying to take away from that, but it is a boys' school and the girls' school has missed out. The optics of that are not good. The only difference we see between the two schools is gender. I welcome the opportunity to hear what the position is. I appeal to the Minister, whom I know the school has been in contact with. If we send on the information, can this be examined or appealed? It seems unusual, particularly given that they share a campus. It is difficult for pupils, parents, teachers and everyone involved to see how one school qualified and the other missed out. I welcome whatever the Minister has to say on this.

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy. In March I announced, as she outlined, a major extension of the DEIS programme, which means that for the first time since 2017 the programme is being significantly expanded and eligible schools will gain access to targeted supports to address educational disadvantage. This is the largest ever single investment in the programme, at a cost of €32 million, and will extend DEIS status to schools serving the highest proportions of pupils at risk of educational disadvantage. Scoil Mhuire gan Smál in Carlow was granted DEIS band 2 status in the March announcement. From 2023, my Department will spend in the region of €180 million on the DEIS programme, which is an increase of €32 million.

This announcement follows an extensive body of work by the DEIS technical group to develop the refined DEIS identification, ID, model to identify the concentrated levels of disadvantage in schools. That is the key point: that it is concentrated levels of disadvantage in a school. All schools in the country, including the two schools raised by the Deputy, were considered for inclusion in the programme under the DEIS ID model. The model uses information from the school's individual enrolment database and 2016 national census data, as represented by the Pobal HP deprivation index.

The model takes into account the student cohort and the relative disadvantage within a given school. A detailed document outlining the refined DEIS identification model is published and available on gov.ie. The model also takes into consideration the significant educational disadvantage experienced by Traveller and Roma learners and by students residing in direct provision or emergency homeless accommodation.

Schools that were not satisfied with the outcome following the application of the model to their school enrolment data were provided with the opportunity to have that outcome reviewed. Schools were also provided with the opportunity to update their details on the Department's enrolment databases, the primary online database, POD, or post primary online database, PPOD, depending on the school. While Scoil Mhuire gan Smál in Carlow did appeal this decision, there was no change to the outcome of the initial application of the refined DEIS ID model. The DEIS appeals process was applied fairly across all appellants using an objective data-based approach and the results are final. I understand the concerns expressed by the school but I assure the Deputy that the model was correctly applied on foot of the data provided by the school.

Kathleen Funchion (Carlow-Kilkenny, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I welcome the fact that the Minister is present. I should have acknowledged that at the start. I understand that the school has band 2 DEIS status but it is really difficult to get your head around how two schools on the same campus that serve the same geographical area and, to a large extent, the same families fall into different DEIS bands with one in band 1 and the other in band 2. Around the country, where schools are side by side, they tend to be given the same DEIS status. That is what would be expected when that status is based on the socioeconomic and geographical situation. What exactly is the difference here? I know the Minister mentioned concentrated on disadvantage but these schools are literally on the same campus and in the exact same area and, therefore, I do not understand how one can be in DEIS band 1 while the other is DEIS band 2. Is there any way to get further information on that? Where does this leave the school now? I understand that it has gone through the appeals system but what are the next steps? Is this status decided annually? Can it apply next year? The outcome we are hoping for is that this would be looked at again. There has to be some sort of oversight. These are two schools in the same area sharing the same grounds and serving the same community. The schools serve many of the same families because one is a boys' school and the other is a girls' school and many families send their daughters to one and their sons to the other. I will mention the issue of gender because it does not look good that the boys' school qualifies for one status while the girls' school does not. I would welcome a bit more detail. I understand if it is not available right now but if it could be sent on, it would be appreciated.

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I acknowledge the Deputy's concerns. The extension of the DEIS programme has been significant. The programme for Government committed to completing the new DEIS identification model and to extending DEIS status to those schools that serve the highest concentration of pupils at risk of educational disadvantage. It is important to say that the extension of the DEIS programme to new schools is just one phase of work in the development of an inclusive education system that supports all learners to achieve their fullest potential. While the programme supports those schools with the highest levels of concentrated educational disadvantage, I recognise that there are students at risk of educational disadvantage in all schools. Conscious of this and recognising the need to target resources to those schools that need them most, the next phase of work begins now. This will explore the allocation of resources to schools to tackle educational disadvantage. This will consider all schools both within and outside the DEIS programme.

With specific regard to the gender aspect the Deputy has raised, there is no question of gender playing a part in the DEIS ID model; the HP index is used. This is used across multiple Departments. There were three additional weightings provided for. These include acknowledgement of children of Traveller or Roma background, children who reside in direct provision facilities and children whose families present as homeless.

The appeals process was applied absolutely fairly across all appellants using an objective, data-based approach. The results are final. The decision was based on the information provided by the school. I understand the concerns the school has expressed but I assure the Deputy that the model was applied on foot of the data provided by the school.

John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

May I just indicate that I raised this matter with the Minister earlier on and would appreciate the information that was asked for?

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I have also raised this with the Minister several times and received the same answer.