Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 189 and 190 together.

My Department is deeply committed to ensuring that every child in Ireland receives the education and support they need to thrive, regardless of their background or circumstances. It is with this commitment in mind that we have embarked on a significant expansion of the Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools (DEIS) programme. In March 2022, I announced a major expansion of DEIS. An additional €32 million investment in the programme from 2023, increased my Department’s overall spend on the DEIS programme to over €180 million.

There are now approximately 260,000 students or 1 in 4 of all students now supported in the programme. Le Chéile National School, serving the children of the Galvone and Southill area of Limerick, has been categorised under Urban Band 1 within the DEIS programme. Urban Band 1 schools receive the most comprehensive support under the DEIS programme, in recognition of their highest levels of concentrated disadvantage. The literacy and numeracy supports within the DEIS programme are integral to its aim of reducing educational disadvantage. As an Urban 1 school it has priority access to Reading Recovery, Maths Recovery, First Steps, Ready Set Go Maths.

It receives additional time allocation from the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) and a psychologist is assigned to the school.

The Primary Curriculum Framework, introduced in March 2023, sets the foundation for quality education in primary and special schools, guiding advancements and addressing children's learning needs. It emphasises the role of diverse pedagogical methods and assessment's in education. Existing curricula in Language and Mathematics will be complemented by new specifications in other areas by 2025/26. A forthcoming strategy on Literacy, Numeracy, and Digital Literacy, due in Q2 2024, aims to support all learners, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds, to reach their potential.

My Department has a core role in delivering on the actions in the Creative Youth Plan 2023 -2037 through a number of innovative and creative programmes for children and young people, with particular focus on seldom heard children and young people. My Department leads on programmes in the Plan, such as BLAST, Creative Clusters and Local Creative Youth Programmes, which provide creative opportunities for all children and young people across the education system, including those in DEIS.

The BLAST Programme provides pupils in schools right across the country with the time and the space to work with a professional artist on creative, imaginative and fun projects. These innovative classes are designed and developed between the artist, teacher and the school under the coordination of the Education Support Centres in Ireland (ESCI) network.

In March 2023 I invited primary and post-primary schools to apply for the arts in education initiative, Bringing Live Arts to Students and Teachers (BLAST) 2023. This was the third year running of BLAST, having commenced in 2021. The 2023 programme enabled 425 new arts in education residencies in schools over the course of the year.

Le Chéile National School, Limerick was awarded a BLAST residency in 2023.

It has also benefitted from a range of universal supports across both DEIS and non-DEIS schools aimed at fostering an inclusive and supportive learning environment. Le Chéile National School, alongside all primary schools in Ireland, is part of the Free Primary Schoolbooks Scheme. This initiative has significantly relieved families from the costs associated with purchasing schoolbooks, including workbooks and copybooks. Schools have the flexibility to extend the benefits of this scheme to cover some classroom resources as well, enhancing the learning environment for all pupils.

My Department is actively exploring more targeted and dynamic approaches to allocate resources effectively, particularly to those schools facing the greatest challenges in addressing educational disadvantage. I have invited the OECD to review our resource allocation model and a report is expected at the end of Q2 2024. It is important that we ensure that we have an appropriate support system for all children and young people in our schools, particularly those facing educational disadvantage.