Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 June 2026
325. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Education and Youth the process used by her Department to assess schools for inclusion in the DEIS programme and DEIS Plus programme; the criteria applied as part of that assessment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47154/26]
View answerAddressing educational disadvantage in all schools is a key priority for me as Minister for Education and Youth. 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. This identification model is a statistic-based, objective approach that accounted for the breadth and severity of disadvantage through the application of a weighted process. It also took into consideration the significant educational disadvantage experienced by Traveller and Roma learners and of students residing in direct provision or emergency homeless accommodation. 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.
The new DEIS Plus scheme, which will commence this year and was launched as part of the DEIS Strategy to 2035, represents the most significant expansion of targeted supports since the establishment of DEIS. DEIS Plus is designed to provide enhanced, evidence-based supports to a cohort of schools with the highest concentrations of children and young people at risk of educational disadvantage.
As part of the DEIS Plus identification process, the DEIS Plus identification model was applied nationally to DEIS Urban Band 1 primary schools and DEIS post-primary schools. Using this model, schools were identified for inclusion in the DEIS Plus scheme through an objective and data-based approach that applies nationally available indicators consistently across all schools. The identification model is underpinned by a range of administrative data on every child and young person enrolled in primary and post-primary school. A detailed paper on the DEIS Plus identification model is available on gov.ie.
The DEIS Strategy to 2035 is the first long-term, whole-system approach to addressing educational disadvantage. This strategy recognises education as central to breaking cycles of disadvantage, expanding opportunity, and ensuring long-term security. It sets out a more flexible model of support, so that resources are aligned with each school’s level of need as it changes over time.
The strategy also acknowledges that students at risk of educational disadvantage are present in all schools. It therefore focuses on improving outcomes, encouraging innovation, and ensuring schools can access the right supports when needed. The DEIS Strategy to 2035 sets out actions under Strategic Objective 2.2 to develop an agile resource allocation model to support children and young people at risk of educational disadvantage in all primary and post-primary schools.
