Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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80. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the much-delayed DEIS appeals, in particular for schools located in Drogheda that were highlighted in the Geiran report and have been recommended for additional posts and DEIS status; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34720/22]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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In respect of the schools referred to by the Deputy, the schools have not been identified as having met the criteria for inclusion under the refined DEIS identification model.

In consideration of Action 6.1 of the Drogheda Report Implementation Plan, the schools have been allocated additional supports for a fixed term of 5 years in order to support the implementation of evidence-based programmes and initiatives which build school capacity to respond to the needs of their students in relation to the issues outlined in the Scoping Report into Community Safety and Wellbeing in Drogheda.  While this allocation is separate from the DEIS programme and does not constitute the classification of DEIS Urban Band 1 status on the schools, it does meet the action outlined in the report.

My Department remains committed to engaging with the Department of Justice in relation to the other recommendations of the report and the whole of Government approach to addressing the issues in Drogheda.