Written Answers Nos. 240-259
240. Deputy Seamus Healy asked the Minister for Transport the amount collected by Bus Éireann on seat reservation fees in the years of 2024, 2025 and to-date in 2026, in tabular form; and the additional improvements that were carried out as result of those fees. [52491/26]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport; however, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport.
The query raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for Bus Éireann. I have, therefore, referred the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
241. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Transport the current status of the review of e-scooter legislation referenced by the Minister of State with responsibility for Road Transport in the Dáil last month; if terms of reference have been set for this review; the timeline for its completion; if it will examine mandatory helmet and hi-vis requirements for e-scooter users; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52495/26]
View answerIt is over two years since the first regulations and it is appropriate to look at the evidence and consider if additional regulation is warranted to promote road safety. Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien and I met Tánaiste Simon Harris and Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan on Tuesday 16 June to discuss potential measures, including requiring owners to register, insure and tax the vehicles. Requirements for personal protective equipment (PPE) on e-scooters and e-bikes will form part of any consideration.
Any proposals for updated regulations will be subject to Ministerial decision.
242. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Transport the breakdown, by age category of rider and by Garda region, of the 837 fixed charge notices issued for e-scooter offences since the legislation came into effect in May 2024; the number of these notices issued to riders under the age of 16; the number of repeat offenders identified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52496/26]
View answerAs Minister of State for International & Road Transport, Logistics, Rail & Ports, I wish to advise that the Department of Transport’s remit in respect of e-scooters is limited to legislation providing for the legal use of e-scooters on Irish roads. These regulations specify that any e-scooter user must be 16 or older.
Enforcement of the legislation is, as for all road traffic law, under the remit of An Garda Síochána, who have the power to issue fixed charge notices and seize e-scooters operated by any person under the age of 16. The Deputy may therefore wish to address this question to my colleague, the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration.
243. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Transport if him Department holds or plans to establish a national dataset recording e-scooter-related injuries and incidents, given that current data on child casualties is being generated on an ad hoc basis by individual hospitals rather than through any centralised Department or agency mechanism; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52497/26]
View answerAs Minister of State with responsibility for Road Safety, I have no direct role in the recording of incidents or injuries. Responsibility for the collection and collation of such data rests with An Garda Síochána, the Road Safety Authority as well as the Department of Health and its agencies, which are best placed to compile and disseminate relevant datasets as appropriate. Work is ongoing to in this area in relation to development and use of such data.
244. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Transport if a formal inter-agency working group exists involving his Department, the Department of Health, the Department of Education and Youth, the Road Safety Authority and An Garda Síochána to address the rise in child e-scooter injuries; if such a group has produced any reports, recommendations or action plans to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52498/26]
View answerThere are a number of high level groups in place on road safety that cover e-scooter safety. While there is no specific inter-agency working group focused on child e-scooter injuries, officials from my Department engage regularly with the Road Safety Authority, An Garda Síochána and others on matters relating to e-scooter safety, including legislation, usage and enforcement.
It is over two years since the first regulations and it is appropriate to look at the evidence and consider if additional regulation is warranted to promote road safety. Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien and I met Tánaiste Simon Harris and Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan on Tuesday 16 June to discuss potential measures, including requiring owners to register, insure and tax the vehicles. Requirements for personal protective equipment (PPE) on e-scooters and e-bikes will form part of any consideration. Any proposals for updated regulations will be subject to Ministerial decision.
245. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Transport the steps that have been taken by RSA to mitigate delays in driver testing waiting times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52536/26]
View answerUnder the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for all aspects of the National Driver Testing Service. Given the RSA's responsibility in this matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the Authority for direct response. Please contact my office if a reply is not received within ten days.
Pending this response, the latest information provided to me by the RSA indicates that, as of end June, the national average waiting time for an invitation to book a driving test was almost 12-weeks. I am assured by the RSA that work is continuing to reduce the waiting time in line with the target 10-week service level agreement.
With regard to driver testers, I am pleased that as of end June, the full sanctioned complement of 200 testers is employed by the RSA, which is a significant increase on the 151 testers available at the beginning of 2025 and a doubling of permanent posts since June 2022.
I would encourage learner drivers awaiting a test to monitor the driver testing booking system which makes available cancelled test slots for candidates to take up at short notice across the service.
The Deputy may wish to note that detailed statistics on the National Driver Testing Service, by county and test centre, are made available on the CSO website on a monthly basis and can be accessed via the following link: https://data.cso.ie/product/rsadts.
246. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Transport if he is aware of the hardship being caused to individuals experiencing lengthy delays in exchanging recognised foreign driving licences for Irish licences through the NDLS, particularly where these delays affect a person's ability to travel to work and maintain employment; whether additional resources will be provided to expedite the verification process with overseas licensing authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52556/26]
View answerThe exchange of driving licences is managed through the National Driver Licence Service, the provision of which is delegated under national legislation to the Road Safety Authority (RSA). Neither I nor my officials have any role in dealing with exchange applications. I have therefore referred your query to the RSA for direct reply. Please contact my office if a reply is not provided within 10 working days.
There are various factors which affect the time it takes to process licence exchange applications. For example, the applicant may need to submit outstanding information, such as a medical or eyesight report, or the physical driving licence in the case of an online application. The most common reason is in verification of the driving licence by the other licensing authority. At times a response is received very quickly but sometimes there can be delays.
247. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Transport the number of dynamometer checks carried out on e-scooters in each of the years 2024, 2025 and to date in 2026; the number of devices found to exceed the 20 km/h legal speed limit; if his Department has examined whether commercially available e-scooters are being sold with the capacity to exceed this limit out of the box; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52494/26]
View answerAs Minister of State for International & Road Transport, Logistics, Rail & Ports, I wish to advise that the Department of Transport’s remit in respect of e-scooters is limited to legislation providing for the legal use of e-scooters on Irish roads. These regulations specify that any e-scooter used on Irish roads must not be capable of exceeding 20km/h.
Enforcement of the legislation is, as for all road traffic law, under the remit of An Garda Síochána, who have the power to seize e-scooters that do not comply with the technical requirements set out by e-scooter regulations. The Deputy may therefore wish to address this question to my colleague, the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration.
248. Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Transport when he expects to publish the revised National Aviation Policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52583/26]
View answerThe 2015 National Aviation Policy (‘NAP’) established a policy framework for the development of the aviation sector in Ireland. It was designed to create an environment that encouraged the sector to enhance Ireland's connectivity, to foster the growth of aviation enterprise and maximise the contribution of aviation to Ireland's sustainable economic growth and development.
While the principal goals of the 2015 NAP remain valid, and it continues to guide decision-making, my Department has commenced preparatory work on revising the NAP. This has been delayed somewhat due to the extensive work involved in the development of the Dublin Airport (Passenger Capacity) Bill to address the passenger cap planning condition at Dublin airport which is a key priority for Government. My Department is working towards the publication of an issues paper for public consultation before the end of the year.
The revised NAP will update existing policy in response to developments in the aviation sector since 2015 and will include a focus on maximising use of our regional airports, in line with commitments made in the Programme for Government.
249. Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Transport his plans for a National Counter Unmanned Aircraft System (C-UAS) strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52584/26]
View answerMy Department has responsibility for civil aviation and safety is the top priority in this area. All airports in the State with commercial traffic are required to have procedures in place to deal with the safety risk posed by illegal unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) activity. The procedures are developed in accordance with guidance on managing UAS safety risk issued by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency and are monitored, exercised and risk assessed on an ongoing basis.
The deployment of counter UAS measures more broadly is a matter for policing and defence and not a matter for the Department of Transport. I am aware that An Garda Síochána and the Defence Forces have secured counter UAS technology. My Department's primary engagement on this issue with the relevant bodies in that area is to ensure that those measures are deployed in a way that does not pose a safety risk to civil aviation.
I have no plans to develop a National Counter Unmanned Aircraft System (C-UAS) Strategy.
250. Deputy Gillian Toole asked the Minister for Transport the accountability the National Transport Authority has to him in the event of lack of supply of fleet to Bus Éireann, when spare fleet exists in storage by Dublin Bus (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52609/26]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including the provision and upgrade of public transport, such as bus fleets.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
Pending a more detailed response, I note there are currently 98 zero-emission battery-electric buses awaiting deployment pending the installation of charging infrastructure. 56 of these buses are to be deployed in the Greater Dublin Area later this year with the remaining 42 buses to enter service in Galwayacross late 2026 and early 2027. The rollout of these buses has allowed for the operation of fully electric bus services in Limerick and Athlone.
To help address the mismatched timelines of charging capacity and fleet delivery in future, the NTA plans to award a new national electric bus charging infrastructure framework shortly. This framework, from which suppliers can be accessed for depot electrification projects anywhere in the country in the future, will replace the fragmented, project-by-project procurement approach to date
Significant efforts are underway by the NTA and transport operators to move electric buses into passenger service, and I look forward to the continued rollout of electric buses across the country.
251. Deputy Gillian Toole asked the Minister for Transport the results of the flight paths review carried out by the DAA and AirNav (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52611/26]
View answerFollowing engagement with the daa on the matter of flightpaths at Dublin Airport, I have been advised that given the ongoing regulatory and planning processes in track regarding Dublin Airport it is not daa’s intention to embark on a flightpath review at this time.
Under EU legislation, the operator of an airport, daa in the case of Dublin Airport, is responsible for the design and maintenance of Instrument Flight Procedures (IFPs) which set flight paths into and out of an airport. Dublin airport, AirNav Ireland carries out the design and maintenance function on behalf of daa. The Irish Aviation Authority, as the civil aviation safety regulator in Ireland, has responsibility for ensuring that IFPs adhere to safety standards set out in national, EU and international regulations. Flight paths are also monitored for compliance with noise requirements by the Aircraft Noise Competent Authority, in line with EU Regulation 598/2014 and the Aircraft Noise Act 2019.
Separately, monitoring compliance with planning permission conditions is matter for the relevant planning authority that granted those permissions, and enforcement of planning conditions is a matter for those authorities.
That said, at the recent second stage debate on the Dublin Airport (Passenger Capacity) Bill 2026 in Dáil Éireann on the 23rd of June, and at subsequent debates on the Bill, I have committed to ensuring that an independent assessment of flightpaths at Dublin Airport will be undertaken at the appropriate time.
The most suitable point for this work will most likely be when a final decision is made regarding the North Runway Relevant Action. This timing will ensure that the assessment is based on the most accurate and current operational data, incorporating the latest noise modelling methodologies, and can support the identification of appropriate solutions.
252. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation to provide funding as a matter of priority to Kerry County Council for the appointment of consultants to prepare an application for coastal protection works at Rossbeigh Beach, Glenbeigh, County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52417/26]
View answer253. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation to provide funding as a matter of priority to Kerry County Council for the appointment of consultants to prepare an application for flood relief works at Cromane Lower, Killorglin, County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52418/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 252 and 253 together.
Local coastal erosion and flooding issues are a matter, in the first instance, for each local authority to investigate and address and a local authority may carry out flood mitigation works using its own resources. The OPW is working closely with Kerry County Council (KCC) to implement a number of initiatives to deal with the issues of coastal protection in the county.
Minor Works Scheme
Local authorities may apply to the OPW for funding for flood mitigation and coastal protection works under the OPW Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme. Since its introduction in 2009, some €70 million has been approved under the Scheme for 930 local authority led projects that are delivering flood mitigation and coastal protection for some 8,000 properties.
Since 2009, the OPW has approved some €4.2 million funding to KCC for some 40 projects. Some €2.9m of this approved funding relates to coastal erosion works or studies. Under the Minor Works Scheme, it is the responsibility of the local authority to advance the works, once approved by the OPW. This includes all environmental assessments, planning consents, health and safety requirements and landowner agreements.
In May this year, I was pleased to announce the details of the revised criteria for the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme, which greatly increase the scope of the Scheme and provide local authorities with a greater opportunity to address localised flood and coastal erosion risks within their administrative areas. The revisions include an increase in the upper threshold in funding for projects from €750,000 to €2m and an increase in the OPW contribution from 90% to 95% for approved funding above €300,000. The Scheme supports interim flood mitigation measures for communities where a major flood relief scheme is planned. By introducing interim measures, local authorities will be able to reduce the impact of a significant flood event on the local community until protection is provided by the completed scheme. The full details of the revised Scheme are available on the OPW website (www.opw.ie).
Dingle Bay – Castlemaine Harbour
On 21st November 2017 KCC applied for funding under the OPW Minor Works Scheme for a study of Dingle Bay – Castlemaine Harbour. The study comprised of approximately 45 km of coastline incorporating Rossbeigh, Cromane and Inch. The OPW approved funding of €75,000 on 26th March 2018 to carry out this study. Additional funding of €18,000 was approved for this project on 16th June 2020 with further funding of €21,038 approved on 13th December 2021.
Rossbeigh
KCC has confirmed that significant repairs of the coastal defences at Rossbeigh Beach were undertaken in 2014. They engaged consultants to carry out a report on Rossbeigh.
Based on a design by their consultants, KCC submitted an application to OPW for funding under the Minor Works Scheme for the construction of a rock revetment at Rossbeigh. Funding of €450,000 was approved by the OPW for these works that were completed in 2019.
On 30th June 2026 KCC submitted a Minor Works application for Rossbeigh. Funding is sought for a Coastal Study and subsequent works. These works incorporate the repair of circa 650 to 750 metres of rock armour revetment.
This application is under consideration by OPW.
Cromane
In February 2012, KCC submitted a Minor Works application for Cromane. Funding of €100,000 was approved for embankment strengthening works to protect against a significant risk of flooding to 12 houses.
On 30th June 2026 KCC submitted a further Minor Works application for Cromane. Funding is sought for a Coastal Study and subsequent works. KCC has identified the primary risk in this area being coastal flooding, with a significant risk during extreme storm surges. An assessment of historical coastal change indicated that the area beyond the seawall could be susceptible to coastal erosion. Works consisting of the repair of c.750 m of embankment, maintenance of 1.3 km of embankment to the east and new flood gates and reprofiling a local road to the west are being applied for.
This application is under consideration by OPW.
Coastal Change Management
The Government recognises the risks associated with climate change and that increases in sea levels and storm surges will result in increased frequency of coastal erosion. In response to these challenges, the recommendations outlined in the Report of the Interdepartmental Group on National Coastal Change Management Strategy are being implemented. Amongst the key recommendations of the Report is the assignment of the lead coordination role to the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, which is responsible for chairing an Interdepartmental Steering Group on Coastal Change Management.
The OPW has been designated by Government as the national lead coordinating body for the assessment of coastal change hazards and risks and the assessment of technical options and constraints. These assessments will build upon indicative assessment work previously undertaken by the OPW under the Irish Coastal Protection Strategy Study, and comprise a substantial, multi-annual programme of work to assess coastal risk nationally, and then in detail at higher risk locations as a basis for then determining potential viable works to manage this risk. This work will contribute to the work of the Interdepartmental Steering Group on Coastal Change Management.
254. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment to give favourable consideration to recommendations by an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52448/26]
View answerIn April of last year, I obtained Government approval for the general scheme of the Short-Term Letting and Tourism (STLT) Bill. Once enacted, this Bill will provide a statutory framework for regulating the short-term letting (STL) sector, including the establishment of a national register.
The national STL register will operate in compliance with the EU Short-Term Rental Regulation (EU) 2024/1028, which came into effect on 20 May 2026.
This register, which has been broadly welcomed by the tourism sector, will be implemented and managed by Fáilte Ireland. The register will launch on 1 December 2026, with a legal obligation on all operators to register by 31 December 2026.
The use of properties for short-term letting is subject to planning regulations in Ireland.
The planning policy for STL activity has been set out by the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne TD, in a National Planning Statement.
The National Planning Statement for short-term letting ensures a clear overall policy approach, both at national level and local authority level, to enable planning authorities to determine planning applications for short-term lets across the country and sets out balanced guidelines that support the retention and return of housing stock for use in the long-term market, while enabling accommodation unsuitable for long-term use to be developed for tourism purposes in support of economic development.
The new housing policy restricts the approval of new planning permissions for short-term lets in cities and larger towns with a population of over 20,000 at the last census. However, planning permission for short-term letting can be granted where this helps preserve heritage or traditional buildings that are not suitable for long-term housing.
STL accommodation providers based in towns with a population of 20,000 or less at the last census, based on the census town boundaries (defined by CSO), have two years to meet national planning compliance requirements.
STL accommodation providers based in towns with a population of more than 20,000 at the last census, will need to confirm planning compliance on registration, with no further lead-in period, if they wish to register their short-term letting property with Fáilte Ireland.
There will be a presumption in favour of granting planning permission for short-term letting where a dwelling has been used continuously for this purpose for at least seven years, and no enforcement action was taken. This applies where the proposal would not create serious traffic, flooding, or pollution risks, or breach occupancy-related planning conditions.
A simplified administrative version of the application process for retention specifically for short-term lets, will be introduced.
The letting of a room or rooms in a person’s principal private residence is permissible on an unrestricted basis and is exempt from planning requirements.
It should be noted that homesharers are currently allowed to sub-let their entire principal private residence (house or apartment) on a short-term basis for a cumulative period of 90 days where they are temporarily absent from their home. Where the 90-day threshold is exceeded, planning permission for change of use is required.
I intend to bring the STLT Bill to Government in the coming weeks to seek approval for publication, and to advance the Bill to enactment by early autumn.
Fáilte Ireland estimates that, based on screen-scraped data from four major booking platforms. approximately 34,020 STL properties were advertised online in the State in October 2025, a 26% increase since October 2022, with 64% listed as entire homes or apartments. At the same time in Kerry, advertisements for STL units rose by 10.4% from 3,540 to 3,910 with 70% listed as entire properties.
Tourism is a vital part of the Irish economy, supporting 228,700 jobs and generating €5.4 billion in 2025. I fully recognise the concerns regarding the potential impact on tourism economies of reducing short-term letting availability.
The Government’s approach positively strikes a balance between sustaining rental housing supply and supporting the vitality of rural and regional tourism and employment.
My Department has, and continues to have, ongoing engagement with all stakeholders, including STL operators and platforms. The ISCF are an active participant in this engagement, and I welcome their support for the STL Register.
To ensure all accommodation providers and intermediaries who advertise accommodation (platforms) are aware of the registration and reporting obligations my Department launched a communications campaign on 28 October.
My Department has also developed a webpage where information is easily accessible for the sector and this is available at https://enterprise.gov.ie/en/what-we-do/the-business-environment/tourism/short-term-letting/.
255. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Education and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 574 of 27 January 2026, the steps that a school (details supplied) will now take to secure a review of the decision to exclude the school from the DEIS Band 1 programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52351/26]
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 model 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. It is important to stress that schools not identified through the refined DEIS identification model does not in any way imply that the department is saying that disadvantage does not exist within in the school community.
The DEIS Strategy to 2035 sets out a long-term plan to address educational disadvantage in all schools and work to ensure that any child or young person experiencing educational disadvantage is supported through their education journey.
The DEIS Strategy implementation plan 2026-2028, under the strategic objective 2.2, sets out 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.
These actions focus on the continued enhancement of the data available to measure school level disadvantage and for the development of a more flexible resource allocation model that can react to change in school needs and provide the right resources at the right time.
• 2.2.1 Align the allocation of DEIS resources to the refined DEIS identification model and most up to date data. Timeline for completion: 2028.
• 2.2.2 Develop a new DEIS resource allocation model that: supports schools with the highest concentrations of children and young people at risk of educational disadvantage; supports children and young people at risk of educational disadvantage in all schools; is dynamic and has the potential to adjust to changes in a school’s levels of need including amalgamations; uses objective data to equitably allocate resources to schools. Timeline for completion: 2027.
• 2.2.3 Conduct an impact assessment on any potential changes to the allocation of resources to schools, ensuring that no child or young person is negatively impacted. Timeline for completion: 2027.
In light of these actions and current budget constraints there is currently no intention to conduct a review of DEIS banding or to expand the DEIS programme to include new schools. Any future additional allocation of resources under the DEIS programme will be considered over the lifetime of the DEIS Strategy to 2035 and in the context of available resources.
There are also a range of universal supports available to all schools to support children and young people at risk of educational disadvantage. These include:
• National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) provides educational psychological service to all primary and post-primary schools and special schools to support the well-being, academic, social and emotional development of all learners.
• The Special Education Teaching (SET) allocation provides a unified allocation for special education support teaching needs to each school based on each school’s educational profile and also encompasses an element of English as an additional language (EAL) support allocation. Under this SET model, schools are frontloaded with resources to provide support immediately to those pupils who need it without delay.
• Free schoolbooks are provided to all children and young people in the free education system.
• Inspectorate support helps improve education provision for all children and young people. They promote best practice and school improvement by advising teachers, principals and boards of management in schools.
• Through the Department of Social Protection, the School Meals Programme provides regular, nutritious food to children to support them in taking full advantage of the education provided to them. The Hot School Meals Programme is available to all primary schools, meaning that approximately 3,700 schools and organisations and 682,000 children are now eligible for the Schools Meals Programme.
256. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Education and Youth the secondary schools in County Monaghan that have DEIS status, per band; the years they were allocated their current DEIS status, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52352/26]
View answer257. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Education and Youth the primary schools in County Monaghan that have DEIS status, per band; the years they were allocated their current DEIS status, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52353/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 256 and 257 together.
Addressing educational disadvantage in all schools is a key priority for me as Minister for Education and Youth. The DEIS programme provides targeted support to schools with the highest levels of concentrated disadvantage.
Schools have been included in the DEIS programme in three different tranches. The first groups were included in 2006, when the programme was first established. The programme was expanded further in 2017 following the development of a DEIS identification methodology. For the most recent expansion, in 2022 the identification model was further developed to include a weighted approach that accounted for the breadth and depth of disadvantage. The refined identification model included additional elements that allowed for the significant educational disadvantage experienced by Traveller and Roma learners, and of students residing in direct provision or emergency homeless accommodation.
At each point in time, 2006, 2017 and 2022 the schools found to have the highest concentrations of children and young people at risk of educational disadvantage were included in the DEIS programme.
A list of primary and post primary schools in County Monaghan that have DEIS status, per band can be found at in the excel attached file.
258. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Education and Youth the secondary schools in County Cavan that have DEIS status, per band; the years they were allocated their current DEIS status, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52354/26]
View answer259. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Education and Youth the primary schools in County Cavan that have DEIS status, per band; the years they were allocated their current DEIS status, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52355/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 258 and 259 together.
Addressing educational disadvantage in all schools is a key priority for me as Minister for Education and Youth. The DEIS programme provides targeted support to schools with the highest levels of concentrated disadvantage.
Schools have been included in the DEIS programme in three different tranches. The first groups were included in 2006, when the programme was first established. The programme was expanded further in 2017 following the development of a DEIS identification methodology. For the most recent expansion, in 2022 the identification model was further developed to include a weighted approach that accounted for the breadth and depth of disadvantage. The refined identification model included additional elements that allowed for the significant educational disadvantage experienced by Traveller and Roma learners, and of students residing in direct provision or emergency homeless accommodation.
At each point in time, 2006, 2017 and 2022 the schools found to have the highest concentrations of children and young people at risk of educational disadvantage were included in the DEIS programme.
A list of primary and post primary schools in County Cavan that have DEIS status, per band can be found in the attached excel file.
|
Roll No |
School name |
County |
|
70360C |
St. Mogue'S College |
Cavan |
|
70380I |
Breifne College |
Cavan |
