INFORMATION ON PROPOSALS RE DEIS SCHOOLS

There were a number of schemes designed to tackle educational disadvantage in place prior to the introduction of the DEIS scheme in 2005. A decision has been taken to phase out the legacy posts that were left in schools from these older schemes.· The Minister is aware that some communities will be particularly impacted by these changes.

· Some limited alleviation arrangements will be put in place by the Department for those primary and post-primary schools most adversely affected by the staffing changes.· The Government’s protection of disadvantaged schools is underlined by the maintenance of €13 million in enhanced funding for DEIS schools, €2 million in school book funding for DEIS schools, as well as a €26 million investment in the Home School Community Liaison scheme. All of these areas have been protected from reductions in expenditure for 2012.

· In order to ensure fairness in the distribution of resources available under DEIS, it is no longer possible to retain this concession in some schools when comparable schools do not have it.· All schools will be notified in January 2012 of their staffing entitlements under the new arrangement including any alleviation measures that may apply.

· The withdrawal is being done on a phased basis, which will allow schools time to prepare for this gradual change.· The important point is that DEIS Band 1 primary schools will be given a dedicated staffing schedule based on a general average of 1 teacher for every 22 pupils. This compares to 28:1 for other primary schools.

· All DEIS second level schools will be given targeted support through a more favourable staffing PTR of 18.25:1. This compares to 19:1 for other non fee-charging second level schools.