326. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of primary schools that have been reclassified from DEIS Urban Band 2 to DEIS Urban Band 1 since the conclusion of the 2022 DEIS identification and appeals process; and whether any such reclassifications have taken place outside of a Department-wide application of the DEIS identification mode. [67777/26]

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

The DEIS programme is targeted at schools with the highest levels of concentrated disadvantage. Schools that were included in the most recent expansion of the programme in 2022 were those with the highest levels of concentrated disadvantage as identified through the refined DEIS identification model. This model took into consideration the significant educational disadvantage experienced by Traveller and Roma learners and of students residing in direct provision or emergency homeless accommodation. Schools were not required to apply for inclusion in the DEIS programme, and the model was applied fairly and equally to all schools. A detailed paper on the refined DEIS identification model is available on gov.ie.

As part of the expansion in 2022, 37 existing DEIS schools were reclassified. Of these, 35 schools were reclassified to Urban Band 1 and 2 schools were reclassified to Urban Band 2.

Earlier this year, the DEIS Strategy to 2035 was launched. This 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.