Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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159. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she considered the Pobal Haase-Pratschke deprivation index of an area when eligibility for delivering equality of opportunity in schools was considered for an amalgamated school (details supplied) in County Mayo, considering that it is located in an area which is largely regarded as being disadvantaged; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44278/15]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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160. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of primary schools and post-primary schools that have lost DEIS status following amalgamation, by location and number of pupils involved, since the status was first introduced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44279/15]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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161. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills why DEIS status was removed from a school (details supplied) of 450 pupils in County Mayo when it amalgamated with another school of 28 pupils which did not have this status; if the loss of this status has a severe impact on those pupils coming in from primary schools with this status; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44280/15]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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162. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills what exactly was advised in 2011 at the time of amalgamation of schools (details supplied) in County Mayo regarding DEIS status; if it was made known to the boards of management and principals that the amalgamation would result in the loss of this status for pupils; who actually made the decision for the amalgamation to proceed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44281/15]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 159 to 162, inclusive, together.

The school in question was established on 1st September 2011 following the amalgamation of a DEIS post-primary school and non-DEIS post-primary school.In accordance with the approach adopted in relation to all such amalgamations, additional non-teaching resources are provided by my Department 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 supplied for 6 years following the amalgamation. A total of 14 schools, 7 at primary and 7 at post primary have undergone this process to date. The details of same are being compiled in a suitable format and will be forwarded separately.

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.

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.