Carol Nolan (Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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180. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason the threshold for the appointment of an administrative principal for rural DEIS schools is higher than other DEIS schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42343/17]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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As outlined in the Report on the Review of DEIS published by my Department in February ongoing research has shown that there is a clear distinction between urban and rural disadvantage. While socio-economic disadvantage exists in rural areas, these studies have shown it does not have the same impact on educational outcomes as it does in urban areas.

Consideration of the rural/urban context and the innate differences of the two in terms of educational outcomes as evidenced in research, together with the particular educational needs of certain vulnerable groups is relevant in terms of the nature and the type of resources required to meet particular needs. The Report on the Review of DEIS is available on my Department's website at the following link :

I wish to advise the Deputy that the current School Support Programme provides for the appointment of an Administrative Principal on an enrolment of 116 pupils in DEIS Urban Band 1 schools and 144 pupils in a DEIS Urban Band 2 school as opposed to an enrolment of 177 pupils in rural DEIS and non-DEIS schools.

The full list of supports and resources available to DEIS schools is available on my Department’s website at the following link:.