Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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515. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills why a new school name and roll number were issued (details supplied), given the detrimental effect on the support provided to children attending the school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43933/15]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that the school to which he refers is a new school established in September 2011 as a result of an amalgamation of two schools. The amalgamation was initiated by the school authorities in question and was the subject of local consultation and agreement.

In the case of an amalgamation, the schools amalgamating are closed to form a new school having a new roll number and a new school name. In the case of the school referred to, the school authority advised the Department of the proposed name.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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516. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the advice given to schools regarding the retention of delivering equality of opportunities in schools status prior to their amalgamation, if it was explained that the amalgamation would result in the loss of this status, resulting in pupils coming from nine national schools with this status attending a secondary school (details supplied) without this status; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43935/15]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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I wish to advise the Minister that proposals for school amalgamations are a matter for the Patron/Trustees of the schools in question and are subject to approval by the Minister for Education and Skills. Schools proposing to amalgamate are invited to meet with relevant sections of my Department to inform their decision-making process.

In accordance with the approach adopted for amalgamations involving DEIS and non-DEIS schools, additional non-teaching resources are provided in respect of eligible pupils from the former DEIS school by way of continued support for the targeted cohort of pupils as a transitional measure.

In the case of a post primary school, these supports continue to be provided for 6 years following the amalgamation. In the case of the school in question, the DEIS supports provided are scheduled to continue until the end of the 2016/17 school year. As the Minister will be aware, a review of the DEIS Programme which will inform future policy in relation to educational disadvantage is currently being undertaken by my Department.While this process is underway, I do not intend to make any changes to the current programme.