New measures to tackle educational disadvantage in schools

Further focus on the teaching of literacy and closer links between schools and communities will feature in new Government efforts to tackle educational disadvantage.

A review of the school support programme through the Deis (Delivering Quality of Opportunity in Schools) initiative is nearing completion. It is expected to result in changes to how schools get supports to help students struggling at home or in class.

Education Minister Richard Bruton will visit a Dublin primary school which gets some of the highest levels of assistance this morning when he meets staff and pupils at St Joseph’s in Coolock. However, the review may see major changes to those supports from September of next year, including the way it and over 800 others are selected and funded through the Deis School Support Programme.