1260. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education and Youth if assistance will be provided to a school (details supplied) which is losing a funding stream; if alternative funding can be provided by her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [61907/26]

Addressing educational disadvantage in all schools remains a key priority for me as Minister of Education and Youth.

The DEIS Strategy to 2035, published in March this year, 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 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.

While the department does not provide funding specifically for homework clubs, the school referred to by the deputy will have received a letter informing them of an increase in their DEIS grant allocation under the new DEIS strategy. This may be used to support activities such as homework clubs, in line with the needs and priorities outlines by the school in their school improvement plan.