Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 4 December 2025
270. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Education and Youth to urgently consider expanding the criteria for DEIS, in view of the unprecedented situation some schools (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [68534/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra276. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Youth the reason a school (details supplied) is not being included in the DEIS scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [68634/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra293. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Education and Youth if urgent assistance will be provided to a school in County Kerry (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [68887/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 270, 276 and 293 together.
Tackling education disadvantage and helping students reach their full potential is a key priority for the Minister for Education and Youth, and for the Government.Currently, the DEIS programme supports almost 1,200 primary and post-primary schools, reaching approximately 260,000 students, with an annual investment of over €180 million. Budget 2026 allocates an additional €16 million in 2026, rising to €48 million in 2027, to support the implementation of the new DEIS Strategy and introduce the DEIS Plus scheme, which will commence in 2026.
Schools also have access to universal supports such as wellbeing supports for students through the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS), additional teaching hours under the English as an Additional Language (EAL) scheme and advisory support from the Department’s Inspectorate.
The new DEIS Strategy will include a focus on developing more innovative approaches to addressing educational disadvantage in all schools and working towards a more flexible system of support to ensure that a school can receive the right support at the right time. This will involve a more dynamic resource allocation model where levels of resources more accurately follow the levels of need identified by objective data.
The details of the DEIS Strategy are being finalised and will be published early in 2026. Any future expansion of the DEIS programme and allocation of overall resources will be considered within the context of the new DEIS Strategy and the availability of resources.
Meeting the educational needs of children and young people arriving from Ukraine and other countries is also a priority for the Government, and the Department of Education and Youth is determined to support the efforts of school communities across the country who have shown huge commitment and generosity. Regional Education and Language Teams (REALTs) provide support to families who have newly arrived or who have been transferred to a new location, to find school places and to enrol in school.
The Special Education Teaching allocation provides a single unified allocation for special educational support teaching needs to each school, based on each school’s educational profile and encompasses EAL allocation that schools were allocated in previous years. The department's policies enable flexible resource allocation, including additional EAL hours and positions, to meet these varying needs. Schools may also apply for further language support through the staffing appeals process.
Schools are advised to notify the department of changes in enrolment throughout the 2025/26 academic year in respect of language support for new entrants and this sanction will be reviewed.
Schools should also reach out directly to Oide at primarysupport@oide.ie for queries on additional support, particularly EAL support.
The hot school meals team at the Department of Social Protection is in communication with the principal of this school. The team is actively engaging with remote schools to help them source suppliers.
