Michael Cahill (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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235. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will review the criteria for DEIS inclusion for schools that have seen a large increase in pupils due to the war in Ukraine and allow for these schools to access DEIS funding as a matter of urgency; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18257/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Tackling educational disadvantage and supporting students to fulfil their full potential in life is a key priority for me as Minister for Education, and for the Government. The DEIS programme is a key policy of Government to tackle concentrated educational disadvantage at school level. It provides a targeted range of supports and is additional to the universal supports provided to all schools, such as the introduction of free school books and free hot school meals.

My department invests over €180 million annually to provide additional supports to almost 1,200 schools in the DEIS programme which supports approximately 260,000 students.

The DEIS programme is targeted at schools with the highest levels of concentrated disadvantage. Schools that were included in the most recent expansion of the programme in 2022 were those with the highest levels of concentrated disadvantage as identified through the refined DEIS identification model. Schools were not required to apply for inclusion in the DEIS programme and the model was applied fairly and equally to all schools. A detailed paper on the refined DEIS identification model is available on gov.ie.

It is possible for two neighbouring schools to have a different profile in terms of proportion of students from disadvantaged backgrounds and the relative weighting of disadvantage apportioned in each. The designation of neighbouring schools to different DEIS status does not mean that there is no educational disadvantage present in one school, but that the concentrated level of educational disadvantage of the two schools is different.

The DEIS programme is based on the premise that in order to have the maximum possible impact on providing opportunities for students most at risk of educational disadvantage, extra resources must be targeted as closely as possible at those students with the greatest level of need.

As Minister, I am determined to close the performance gap between DEIS and non-DEIS schools and introduce more innovative solutions to tackle disadvantage. A new DEIS Plan will be published in 2025. This plan will focus on improving the opportunities and achievement levels of children at risk of educational disadvantage, developing more innovative approaches to tackling educational disadvantage, and working towards a more flexible system of supports to ensure that a school can receive the right support at the right time.

Meeting the educational needs of children and young people arriving from Ukraine and other countries is a priority for the Government, and my department is determined to support the efforts of school communities across the country who have shown huge commitment and generosity.

Under the special education model, schools are provided with a baseline teaching allocation to assist with learning and literacy difficulties, including those arising from English Additional Language (EAL) needs. This support is available to all schools, irrespective of their DEIS status.

For schools experiencing an influx of students from Ukraine or other countries, the Additional Temporary Special Education Support Scheme has been established. This scheme is designed to provide schools with additional SET based on graduated thresholds of additional enrolments, ensuring that the educational needs of these students are met in the most inclusive manner possible.

My department also provides specific English Language support to schools with pupils newly arrived into the country that have English as an additional language. Approximately 1,000 additional teaching posts have been allocated to support schools with newly arrived entrants.

Schools may also apply for further language support through the staffing appeals process. Having considered the circumstances outlined by the school and having regard to the high number of pupils requiring EAL support, additional support may be approved to meet the educational needs of such pupils.