Seanad debates

Wednesday, 29 September 2021

Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters

Educational Disadvantage

10:30 am

Photo of Josepha MadiganJosepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I do not have a timeline for Senator Ardagh today. I understand the work is ongoing on the final elements. There are 184 schools at present in the DEIS programme, encompassing approximately 185,000 pupils, which is about 20% of all schools. It is a considerable number, but that is not to say that other schools should not be included. We must support children from disadvantaged areas. Senator Ardagh will also be aware of the multiplier effect in that even if a child is from a different socioeconomic background and attends a school where the majority of children are from a disadvantaged background, that will affect his or her academic outcome. It is a matter the Department takes very seriously. The Minister, Deputy Foley, is very aware of it and she wants to expedite the process. When we undertake a consultative process, we must make sure we get all the views of the education partners.

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