Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I will take the points the Senator raised back to the Minister. I do not doubt the genuineness of her contributions, but nor do I doubt the genuineness of politicians around the country seeking DEIS status for schools in their area. In my constituency, two schools in the same village were added to the DEIS programme last year. It is extremely obvious from the Pobal maps that this is a disadvantaged area. The colour of the map leaves no doubt that the status is required. Those children are entitled, as is every child in the country, to the level of supports they need. Nobody has a monopoly on wisdom in this area. People want supports for disadvantaged children right across the country. The scheme acknowledges there are different categories of disadvantage and it provides for that.

The provision of therapies is a separate issue we need to address. I agree with the Senator that we need to put in place specific therapies, particularly in special schools. It is not a bad idea to start with the most disadvantaged schools and put in place psychotherapy, occupational therapy and whatever therapies are needed. We have made huge progress in this country. The DEIS programme did not exist 20 years ago. We have the highest level of educational attainment in the world.