Written answers

Tuesday, 30 May 2017

Department of Education and Skills

DEIS Applications

Photo of Donnchadh Ó LaoghaireDonnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

209. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if officials in his Department considered or read the research document, a case of mistaken identity, conducted by Togher family centre in association with local schools, which was sent to his Department; the action taken; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26028/17]

Photo of Richard BrutonRichard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As I advised the Deputy on 1 March last, a key element of DEIS Plan 2017 is the availability of a new and objective identification process for the assessment of schools for inclusion in DEIS using centrally held national CSO and DES data.

The key data sources used in this process are the DES Primary Online Database (POD) and Post-Primary Online (PPOD) Databases, and CSO data from the National Census of Population as represented in the Pobal HP Index for Small Areas which is a method of measuring the relative affluence or disadvantage of a particular geographical area.  Variables used in the compilation of the HP Index include those related to demographic growth, social class composition and labour market situation. This data is combined with pupil data, anonymised and aggregated to small area, to provide information on the relative level of concentrated disadvantage present in the pupil cohort of individual schools.A key benefit of this methodology is its universal application to all schools on an equal basis.

I can again confirm to the Deputy that the document to which the Deputy refers, was not used in this identification process or in its development. 

I can confirm however, that the Department is aware of the document in question and of its findings, which are based on self-reported survey data from the parents of pupils enrolled in two primary schools in Cork city. As we develop policy we, of course, take into account all available information.

It is important to say that DEIS Plan 2017 provides for a further programme of work including further anlaysis to examine other variables known to be strong predictors of educational disadvantage in the context of resource allocation.The focus of this analysis will be on centrally held data which can be universally applied to all schools.

Further information on the development of the identification process is available in the DEIS Review report which can be found on my Department's website at www.education.ie.

.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.