DEIS plus for disadvantaged schools
Deputy Duffy asked that schools in highly disadvantaged areas get a DEIS plus model, similar to the north-east inner city team approach. The Taoiseach praised DEIS, said he would inform the Education Minister, and asked her to reply directly.
I speak on behalf of a group of national school principals who work in some of the most disadvantaged areas in Dublin. They are grateful for the DEIS programme. However, they believe a DEIS plus band is required to assist children in these areas who experience trauma and adverse childhood experiences. The north inner city multidisciplinary teams model is equivalent to a DEIS plus. Can this model be expanded to include children who face similar disadvantages? A working group might be the route to action such a programme.
Comment on this
The DEIS programme has been hugely successful, and a number of schools in my constituency benefit from the additional resources that come with it, and they need it, given the disadvantage in the area. I am not an expert on it at all. I know there is a special arrangement in the north-east inner city. There is also DEIS band 1 and DEIS band 2. I will certainly let the Minister, Deputy Foley, know that the matter was raised and ask her to reply directly to the Deputy.