Brendan Ryan (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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105. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of schools classified as DEIS band 1 (primary), DEIS band 2 (primary), DEIS rural (primary) and DEIS (post-primary) in each of the past five school years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29026/16]

Brendan Ryan (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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106. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the level of expenditure on the DEIS programme in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29027/16]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 105 and 106 together.

The information requested by the Deputy in relation to the number of schools classified as DEIS Band 1, DEIS Band 2, DEIS Rural and DEIS Post Primary over the last five school years is available on my Department's website at the following link:

The information requested by the Deputy in relation to the level of expenditure on the DEIS programme in each of the past five years is available on my Department's website at the following link:

Brendan Ryan (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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107. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the technical group established in 2015 to establish the eligibility criteria that are appropriate to re-identify the level of need in schools in relation to the DEIS programme has completed this work and its conclusions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29028/16]

Brendan Ryan (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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108. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the interdepartmental group established in 2015 to consider the roles of different Departments in delivering DEIS in a joined-up way has completed this work and its conclusions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29029/16]

Brendan Ryan (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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109. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when he will publish the review of DEIS, which was noted in his Action Plan on Education as a strategy pending publication; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29030/16]

Brendan Ryan (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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110. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to implement recommendations arising from the review of DEIS in advance of the start of the next school year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29031/16]

Brendan Ryan (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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111. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the action plan for educational inclusion announced in the programme for Government will be published by May 2017; the progress to date on this matter; the consultations commenced in respect of this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29032/16]

Brendan Ryan (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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112. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if his approach in a reform of the DEIS programme will be to expand the overall number of schools participating in the programme; if he will change the classification of individual schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29033/16]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 107 to 112, inclusive, together.

In reply to the Deputy's questions on the DEIS Review Process, I wish to advise him that the review is nearing completion and it is my intention to publish a new Action Plan before the end of this year.

The review is looking at all aspects of DEIS, including the range and impact of different elements of the School Support Programme, particularly the scope for increased integration of services provided by other Departments and Agencies, in order to improve effectiveness.

As I have already announced, among the measures to be included in the plan are a series of pilot schemes aimed at introducing measures which have been shown to work well in improving results for disadvantaged children and students.  The plan is expected to include targeted measures in the areas of:

- Supporting school leadership. We are lucky in Ireland to have exceptionally strong school principals in disadvantaged schools – even small improvements in supports for and retention and performance of school leaders in these schools can have a dramatic impact on outcomes:

- Networks and clusters for DEIS teachers and schools – including greater supported self-evaluation. Stronger networks of peer groups for teachers can help develop new methods and improve outcomes

- Teaching methodologies. There is evidence that, for example, changing the way literacy is taught to children who struggle can achieve major improvements in results

- Explore ways in which the work of schools could be better integrated with other state supports within the community

The results of pilot programmes will be carefully monitored before any decisions around mainstreaming are considered.

Also under consideration is the development of a new assessment framework using centrally held CSO and DES data for the identification of schools for inclusion in a new programme to tackle educational disadvantage. The number of schools to be included in the programme will be determined by this proposed new identification process which will assess all schools in the country, including those not currently participating in DEIS. 

The Review process has included extensive stakeholder consultation, in particular engagement with relevant education partners. 

The work undertaken by the Technical and Advisory Group is ongoing and its outcome will form part of the Action Plan, when published.  

It is envisaged that actions arising from a new Action Plan for Educational Inclusion plan will be implemented in the 2017/2018 school year.

Further details on the Review Process and the groups involved are available at .