Fiona O'Loughlin (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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172. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to immediately include a school (details supplied) under the delivering equality of opportunity in schools scheme and in whatever interim arrangements are in place pending his decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14141/16]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy may be aware that a process to review the DEIS Programme is currently underway in my Department. The overall scope of the review is to assess the existing DEIS Programme in the context of evaluations to date and any relevant policy and other developments in order to inform future policy to tackle educational disadvantage.

All aspects of the DEIS programme are being considered including the identification of schools. A Technical Advisory Group is examining available data sources in order to develop an improved identification process for the allocation of resources in the future.

The majority of the review work programme is scheduled for completion by the end of the current school year. In the meantime my focus, and that of my Department, is on maintaining current DEIS supports while the review process is underway. The programme for a Partnership Government has committed to publish a new updated Action Plan for Educational Inclusion within 12 months. Subject to Government approval, it is intended to start to implement actions arising from an updated plan in the 2017/18 school year.

Accordingly, pending the outcome of the review process I do not propose to make any changes to the current programme, including the addition of further schools or any other interim arrangements.

Fiona O'Loughlin (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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173. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the primary schools in County Kildare that have delivering equality of opportunity in schools status and the extra supports and resources this provides to them; the process by which a school can receive this status; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14142/16]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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The list of primary schools in County Kildare that have DEIS status is available on my Department's website at the following link:-

.

The resources provided for the schools in question are set out hereunder.

The Deputy may be aware that a process to review the DEIS Programme is currently underway in my Department. The overall scope of the review is to assess the existing DEIS Programme in the context of evaluations to date and any relevant policy and other developments in order to inform future policy to tackle educational disadvantage.

Accordingly, pending the outcome of the review process I do not propose to make any changes to the current programme, including the addition of further schools.

Resources Provided to Primary Schools under the DEIS Programme

Resources for Band 1 Schools:-

Reduced class sizes with pupil teacher ratios of 20:1 in junior schools, 22:1 in vertical schools and 24:1 in senior schools.

With effect from September 2012 DEIS Band 1 schools are given an allocation of 0.2 of a post, where the school has less than 200 students, and 0.4 of a post where the school has 200 or more students, additional to the mainstream provision of 0.2 of a post in all-boys & mixed school and 0.16 of a post in All-girls schools.

Resources for Band 1 and Band 2 Schools:-

The appointment of an Administrative Principal in Band 1 schools is based on 116 pupils and in Band 2 schools is based on 145 pupils.

Access to Home/School/Community Liaison (HSCL) services.

Access to range of supports under School Completion Programme (SCP).

Access to literacy/numeracy support service to specific literacy/numeracy measures.

Access to transfer programmes.

Resources for Band 1, Band 2 and DEIS Rural schools:-

Additional non-pay/capitation allocation based on level of disadvantage.

Additional funding under School Books Grant Scheme.

Access to Schools Meals Programme.

Access to planning supports.

Access to a range of professional development supports.