Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail)
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80. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 164 of 4 October 2016, if the review of the DEIS programme is looking at the need for including new schools and schools whose student intake and demographic profile may have altered since the initial introduction of the programme in 2006; when the last intake of a school into the DEIS took place; and if his Department has estimates for the number of schools currently not in DEIS but which may have a demographic profile that would make them eligible for inclusion should be scheme be expanded. [32441/16]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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As set out in my previous reply, the process to review the DEIS Programme, which began last year, is nearing completion and it is my intention to publish a new Action Plan for Educational Inclusion before the end of this year.

As part of the review, a new assessment process is being developed using centrally held CSO and DES data to identify schools schools for inclusion in a new support programme.  This proposed new identification process will assess all schools in the country, including those not currently participating in DEIS.  It will not be necessary for schools to make an application for assessment. 

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 area of:

- School leadership

- School networks and clusters

- Teaching methodologies

- Integration of schools and other State supports within communities

- Greater use of Home School Community Liaison services

Until development of this assessment process has been completed I will not be in a position to estimate how many schools may be included in a new support programme.

Implementation of actions arising from the Plan for Educational Inclusion will begin in the 2017/18 school year and will be continuing theme in our wider Annual Action Plan for Education.

Further details on the Review process can be found at: .

Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail)
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81. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when the development of a new assessment framework for the identification of schools for inclusion in DEIS will be completed; the funding that has been allocated for developing this new assessment database to date; and the amount he anticipates will be required overall. [32442/16]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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A process to review DEIS- Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools which began last year is nearing completion and it is my intention to publish a new Plan for Educational Inclusion before the end of this year.

The review is looking at all aspects of the DEIS programme, including the development of a new assessment process for the identification of schools.  This work is being undertaken by the DEIS Review Technical Group and is being carried out within the existing resources allocated to my Department.  

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 area of:

- School leadership

- School networks and clusters

- Teaching methodologies

- Integration of schools and other State supports within communities

- Greater use of Home School Community Liaison services

Implementation of actions arising from the Plan for Educational Inclusion will begin in the 2017/18 school year, and will be a continuing theme in our wider Annual Action Plan for Education.

Further details on the Review process can be found at: .