Lynn Ruane (Independent) | Oireachtas source

The Minister of State indicated that the gap in educational achievement has narrowed. In fact, that is true only in respect of specific categories and metrics, in which we see a slight narrowing. My fear is that without an adequate review of DEIS that targets the children who need it most, and if we start framing many different schools, whatever bands they are in, as DEIS schools, the statistics will be altered such that we are not capturing the poorest and the most well off. In the case of access programmes working with schools in Tallaght, for example, they are working with the best performing schools in the area even though those schools may be disadvantaged. When we start categorising so many different schools as being within DEIS, we may be working with some of better performing schools within a disadvantaged area. This completely skews the statistics such that the poorest children in DEIS schools do not get what they need by way of occupational therapy, trauma support and so on. It is not true to say the gap is narrowing.

I have a specific question the Minister of State might put to the Minister, Deputy Foley. Regarding the consultation with relevant stakeholders, the reply to a recent parliamentary question does not map out how that consultation is going to happen and what it will look like. Will the Minister of State seek an answer from the Department on that?