Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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47. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the review of the DEIS programme; when the review will be published; the details of the expansion of the programme; the methods by which a school can apply for inclusion in the programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1997/17]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy is aware, a process to review the DEIS Programme is nearing completion. I intend to publish a new Action Plan for Educational Inclusion in the coming weeks.

The review process is looking at all aspects of DEIS including the potential for increased integration of services provided by other Departments and Agencies to improve effectiveness. Among the measures to be included in the plan are a series of pilot schemes aimed at introducing initiatives 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

A new assessment framework is also being developed using centrally held CSO and DES data to assess schools for inclusion in the Programme. The number of schools to receive supports under a new School Support Programme and any expansion of the programme will be determined by this new identification process and funding available for the programme. All schools in the country will be assessed so there is no requirement for schools to submit an application as the methodology being applied involves the use of centrally held data already available to my Department.

Implementation of actions arising from the Action 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.