Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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127. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his views on awarding DEIS status to island schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45108/17]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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My Department recognises the very important role played by the island schools in maintaining the communities and culture of the islands, and is strongly committed to the maintenance of the schools on the islands. It is for this reason and in recognition of challenges that the Department already provides additional supports to schools on the islands.

As the Deputy may be aware, the key data sources used in the DEIS identification 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, dependency ratios, education levels, single parent rate, overcrowding, social class, occupation and unemployment rates. 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.

In June, a communication issued to every school in the country explaining the Identification Methodology by way of a detailed 22-page document which is available on the Department’s website at

Schools included in the list published by my Department on 13th February are those whose level of disadvantage has been identified as being at the same level as the current DEIS category for schools serving the highest concentrations of disadvantage. Schools which have not been included at this stage are those which have not been identified as having the highest levels of concentrated disadvantage amongst their pupil cohort, under the new model.

A further process will take account of updated data as it becomes available. Schools are being advised to ensure that their POD/PPOD data is fully correct and up to date, including Eircode. Schools can now record Eircode on both the POD and PPOD databases. The HP Index, based on the 2016 National Census data is being updated, and will be available to the Department in the coming weeks. A further exercise will be conducted using the updated datasets in due course. If this exercise reveals that any school which did not qualify for DEIS in the February 2017 round actually meets the criteria applicable to schools with the highest concentration of disadvantage based on the fully up-to-date information then it will be included, subject to resources.

In terms of Island Schools, it should be noted that the geographical location of the school is not pertinent to the identification process. The key information for DEIS identification purposes is the location of the pupil cohort in terms of the CSO Small Area in which they live.

The Department’s Policy on Gaeltacht Education 2017-2022 aims to support the use of Irish as the main language of Gaeltacht communities through the provision of high quality Irish-medium education in Gaeltacht schools. Under the terms of the Policy, additional resources are being provided to Gaeltacht schools that have opted to participate in the Gaeltacht School Recognition Scheme. These resources include dedicated continuing professional development (CPD), which is currently being made available to schools. Inspectorate advisory visits are also being carried out to support schools’ action-planning to strengthen the quality of educational provision through Irish and to increase the use of Irish in the school community. Further supports and resources will be made available to schools participating in the Scheme in 2018 following the approval of schools’ action plans. In Budget 2018, an additional €1 million will be provided to continue the roll-out in 2018 of the Policy on Gaeltacht Education 2017-2022.