Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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25. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide the maximum support to all pupils in disadvantaged schools in 2015/2016. [43918/15]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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As the Deputy will be aware DEIS – Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools, is my Departments main policy instrument for tackling educational disadvantage. Every effort is made to prioritise funding and support the objectives of improved educational outcomes through the DEIS programme, which includes additional funding and teaching resources in DEIS schools.

The Deputy may also be aware that a process for the review of the DEIS Programme is currently underway in my Department. This process is being undertaken over the course of the current school year and will consider all issues pertaining to educational disadvantage in order to inform future policy direction in this important area. While this process is underway, I do not intend to make any changes to the current programme.