Funding for Deis schools in spotlight

The levels of support for schools with the most disadvantaged pupils may not be enough, new research suggests.

Education Minister Jan O’Sullivan will begin consultations soon on a review that was supposed to have begun five years ago, of the Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools (Deis) programme.

It was to offer 657 primary and 193 second-level schools preferable staffing rates and extra grants because they have higher concentrations of disadvantage. But a review promised when the schools were selected in 2005 has not yet been carried out.