Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 28 May 2026
178. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Education and Youth the appeals process for schools that failed to receive categorisation as Deis Plus; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40804/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAddressing educational disadvantage and ensuring that every child and young person can reach their full potential is a key priority the Minister for Education and Youth and for the Government. The new DEIS Plus scheme, which will commence this year, 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 121 schools with the highest concentrations of children and young people at risk of educational disadvantage, identified through a refined data-based model that draws on a range of indicators associated with persistent and intergenerational disadvantage.
Schools that were not satisfied with the outcome following the application of the DEIS Plus identification model to their school enrolment data have the opportunity to have that outcome reviewed through the formal appeals process.
All eligible schools were contacted directly regarding the appeals process. Schools were given the opportunity to update their school enrolment data for the years 2023/2024, 2024/2025 and 2025/2026 on POD and PPOD where they identified that the information already provided was not an accurate reflection of their school enrolment for those years. Schools also had the opportunity to request that the application of the model to their existing data be reviewed. The appeal process closed on 25 May 2026. Information on the appeal process can be found at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-education/circulars/deis-plus-scheme-appeal-process/.
