485. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether caring responsibility will be included within the DEIS strategy (details supplied); and, if not, the way in which her Department will determine whether the recognition of children “caring for others” in the strategy has led to any practical change. [64228/26]

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

The DEIS Strategy to 2035 sets out the departments long term vision to address educational disadvantage in all schools and to ensure that any child or young person experiencing disadvantage is supported to succeed in their education journey, regardless of their background.

A key action under the strategy is the development and implementation of a comprehensive monitoring and evaluation framework to track and measure the impact of the DEIS programme. The framework will build on what we currently use to measure outcomes and impacts, such as literacy and numeracy results, attendance, attainment, and retention data.

It will evaluate the actions outlined in the strategy and support the department in identifying and scaling interventions that are having a positive impact. This will help to ensure that the needs and experiences of all children and young people are reflected in the evaluation of the DEIS programme.

The Department is currently working with the ESRI on the development of this framework, which will be published in the coming months.