15. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Education the steps being taken to establish a new DEIS plus scheme, as per the programme for Government commitment. [8506/25]
Sentiment score: 0.13
The commitment in the programme for Government to establish a new DEIS plus scheme for schools is very welcome. What steps will be taken within the Department to develop that scheme? The existing scheme has been reflected on very positively by both schools and teachers who participate in what are currently considered DEIS schools and it has had independent verification of its success by reports from inspectors, among others. Some of the initiatives in the initial scheme have been extended to all schools, such as the free books and the free hot school meals programmes. What is envisaged in the new scheme?
Sentiment score: 0.46
The Minister's comments on closing the gap between DEIS and non-DEIS schools are interesting because in a number of our schools, the teaching personnel observe a level of disadvantage among pupils that is probably not recognised under the scheme. This is even in terms of how the existing scheme is calculated, for lack of a better term, or how schools are assessed for their inclusion. One aspect schools are finding increasingly puzzling is where there is a high proportion of pupils who may be residing in international protection accommodation services, yet the school is not considered to be of sufficient disadvantage to obtain DEIS status. This is one measure we could look at. We need to review whether we are fully incorporating and analysing the number of pupils living in direct provision and attending schools, and whether that is fully recognised in the existing DEIS scheme.
Sentiment score: -0.03
One of the advantages DEIS schools enjoy over non-DEIS schools is the position of the home school community liaison teacher. This is a valuable position that would be valued in any school. The Minister might look at closing the gap between DEIS and non-DEIS schools and providing additional roles. We could arrive at a position whereby a home school liaison officer might work with several non-DEIS schools but it is certainly one of the significant advantages. As I said in my opening remarks, some of the additional benefits of DEIS, such as the free school books and hot school meals schemes, have been extended to all schools, which is very welcome. We can take learnings from DEIS and what has worked well to see if we can extend our resources to apply them to non-DEIS settings.
Sentiment score: 0.58
17. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Education what steps will be taken to operationalise the commitment in the programme for Government to introduce a new national small schools project for all 1,300 small primary schools to protect these school communities and develop new administrative supports. [8505/25]
Sentiment score: 0.26
Another welcome initiative in the programme for Government is the extension of a pilot scheme that has been running in several smaller schools that have come together to seek the synergy of their operations within the community and how they might get administrative support from the Department. The schools involved in this scheme went about their business in different manners and different schools sought to work together on different aspects. It would be very beneficial, however, if we could come up with a communal way of employing this administrative support and applying it across all small schools.
Sentiment score: 0.47
We all recognise the importance of small schools within communities, particularly in communities that might have suffered the loss of other services. We are all familiar with towns and villages throughout the country that might have lost banking and post office services. There is always an outcry rightly when these things occur but the school should be sacrosanct within that. If we can support those small schools and communities to maintain their operation, it will keep the community vibrant. I also welcome that the Minister outlined some feedback from the schools who operate in this scheme already. Two clusters in County Galway went separately about their business but found advantages through working together on the administrative support found in different aspects of the operation of the schools. I know the professional dilemma school principals face when they are also charged with teaching a class. It is an extremely challenging position. Any support we can given to school principals in that position will be most welcome.
Sentiment score: 0.16