Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 534: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the resources schools (details supplied) in Dublin 1, 7 and 9 have received under the DEIS programme in 2007 and 2008; the funding these schools will receive under this scheme following measures introduced in budget 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38437/08]

Seán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

All of the schools that the Deputy has referred to are included in the DEIS programme and will continue to be following Budget 2009. DEIS (Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools), the action plan for educational inclusion, is being rolled out on a phased basis over the period 2005-10, and focuses on addressing the educational needs of children and young people from disadvantaged communities, from pre-school through second-level education (3 to 18 years).

The action plan provides for a standardised system for identifying levels of disadvantage and a new integrated School Support Programme (SSP). It brings together, and builds upon, a number of existing interventions in schools with a concentrated level of disadvantage. There are 876 schools in DEIS. These comprise 673 primary schools and 203 second-level schools.

DEIS provides various supports for both primary and post primary schools. In urban areas with the highest concentrations of disadvantage, know as Urban Band 1, primary schools benefit from a reduced pupil teacher ratio. Urban schools in DEIS also receive the following supports:

additional non-pay/capitation allocation based on level of disadvantage;

financial allocation under schools books grant scheme;

access to numeracy/literacy supports and programmes at primary level;

access to Home School Community Liaison services;

access to School Completion Programme;

enhanced guidance counselling provision at post-primary level;

provision for school library and librarian support for the post primary schools with highest concentrations of disadvantage.

All the schools that the Deputy has referred to have received these supports in 2007 and 2008 and will continue to following Budget 2009.